Mad 3

"Monster High School" b/w "Go Ghost Go"

CD + DVD

(Rock'n'Roll Kingdom)

Though it can sound elementary, penning infectious singalong songs like this is like capturing lightning in a bottle. (Dee Dee Ramone was a master.) Factor in ebbullient playing that grabs up listeners and takes them on a rocketing express, and a more fun exercise can't be had.

Video: "Monster High School"

The Buick 55s

All Original

(Self-issued)

The essential elements are vibrantly present: Assured playing hip to roots teachings, compact songwriting, and, most importantly, faith in the timeless power of Rock'n'Roll.

Recommended: "Bad Habit," "Creepy Voodoo," "Cruisin' the Blues," "Hey Look At Me Now," "Little Be Bop Girl," "She's On That Midnight Train," "Sunset Baby," "West Coast Jump"

Video: Promo

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Brian Setzer

The Devil Always Collects

(Surfdog)

Why has Brian's playing remained popular for decades? Easy: It draws respectfully on estimable originators while enunciating intriguing personal conceptions. Anyone suspecting he's run out of petrol after all these years needs to hear this.

Recommended: "The Devil Always Collects," "What'll It Be Babydoll," "Girl On the Billboard," "Play That Fast Thing (One More Time)," "Psycho Suzie," "A Dude'll Do (What A Dude'll Do)" 

Video: "The Devil Always Collects"

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Dave Crimmen

"Move On Down the Line"

(Self-issued)

We've come to expect full-throated abandon from Dave. This outing, he rips in especial manner. The creative soul of an authentic can't be feigned, and he exemplifies same.

Video: "Move On Down the Line"

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The Pickin' Boppers

Gadzooks!!! 4-track EP

(Folc Records)

Some of the finest rock'n'roll has been of the instrumental variety. Here, we are confronted by swinging, sax-guided bop that drives dancers to distraction. Melodically charactered, infectious in dispatch, and packing wild-side piquancy. 

Recommended: "My Teeth Are Floating," "Gadzooks!!!," "Wild Shot," "El Puma"

Video: "Wild Shot"

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Folc

Continental Lovers

"Make Up Your Mind" single

(Self-issued)

Faithful cover of the 1980 Stiv Bators power-pop mini-classic. But adds more teeth to presentation. One hopes a full-length release will be forthcoming.

Video: "Make Up Your Mind" (live)

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Dale Watson

Starvation Box

(Cleopatra Records)

As appreciated as are Dale's snapped-tight Telecaster underscorings, an acoustic suitably leveraged can assert character of its own. And his unhurried, mature vocals, with prominent harmonica abetment, gild the essay.

Recommended: "Starvation Box," "Whatever Happened To the Cadillac," "That's Where the Money Goes," "Billy Strawn," "I Ain't Been Livin' Right," "Adios," "Down Down Down Down," "Ain't Nobody Everybody Loved"

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