White Teeth, Black Thoughts

At their Gung Ho Studios in Eugene, Ore., Cherry Poppin' Daddies recorded a sizable amount of material and put together this 11-track album from just the swing songs in their 2013 repertoire, including covers of Louis Jordan's "Doug the Jitterbug," Bull Moose Jackson's "I Want a Bowlegged Woman," and Hank Penny's "Bloodshot Eyes." The band's impeccable retro-dance approach lets the music remain upbeat no matter how many of the sentiments regard the depression and day-to-day struggles that never go away, no matter the timeframe. "The Babooch" starts the party without any rust. The members may have changed over the years, and The Cherry Poppin' Daddies have dipped into a variety of styles, but when they focus on the swing music they do so well it's their ballfield. The aforementioned covers are done with respect and energy. "I Love American Music" is as strong a personal statement as they need to make, and the title track sounds like we're taking a step back in time that's been arranged by way of their very own shortcut.