Blues That Defy My Soul

Musically, Dexter Romweber hasn't changed a great deal from his last release — the mix of rockabilly, blues, and surf remains at the core of his sound. But he seems to have distilled it into a very potent brew that works very well within the limited parameters those genres offer. He is Chris Isaak's manic brother, desperately in need of his lithium, always hovering close to the edge. His fascination with monsters comes to the fore on "Monster Blues," but overall this is a more serious (though equally warm-hearted) album than its predecessor, with a very heartfelt "I've Lost My Heart to You." He can push the edge when he wants, as on the spiky "Man Walks In," or the lo-fi acoustic closer, "Prison Called Life." When he does rock out, as on "Rockin" Dead Man" and "The 309," he's perfectly convincing. Putting new life and energy into music like this is an art form in itself. But Romweber has managed it, and he's continuing to grow with it. The trio format is exactly what he needs, with plenty of oomph to back him up, but elastic enough to give him freedom for his voice and guitar. Even if it breaks no new ground, Blues That Defy My Soul is a joy.