JD McPherson Does Best Playing Roadhouse-Happy Rock on Second Album 'Let The Good Times Roll'

Society always celebrates the records that top the Billboard 200 album chart. Back of The Billboards is a Music Times weekly segment that looks at the opposite end: the new record that finished closest to the back of the Billboard 200 for the previous week. We hope to give a fighting chance to the bands you haven't heard of. This week we look at JD McPherson's new LP 'Let The Good Times Roll,'the performer's second LP, which has little to do with The Cars.

Week of 02/20/2015
WHO: JD McPherson
WHAT: Let The Good Times Roll
SPOT: 142

First time listeners may be slightly disappointed to learn that, despite the title of JD McPherson's second album Let The Good Times Roll, the rhythm 'n' blues rock 'n' roller does not cover The Cars classic. Nor does he take a vaguely similar approach to music to the new wave icons. Needless to say, the second track on the album, "Bossy," is not a Kelis cover.

No, McPherson is best when he gets shuffling, the kind of music best presented in a roadhouse somewhere, similar to Bob's Country Bunker from The Blues Brothers. The guitarist hears our sentiment and responds with "Mother of Lies" a rocker complete with saxophone solo. He doesn't need horns to get his best stuff across however, as "Head Over Heels" should click with Chicago blues fans.

From time to time McPherson messes around with more pop radio-happy fare, such as "Precious" or "Bridgebuilder," but he's at his best when he tosses a bit of dust on the guitar for himself to shake of accordingly. Buyers may yet reward him for the approach: Good Times Roll debuts 20 spots higher on the Billboard 200 than his previous release and, more relevant, at no. 1 on the US Heatseekers charts. Stay the course.