The Blasters

If you've ever been frustrated when your favorite band takes a long time between albums, then you'll probably sympathize with fans of the Blasters, the veteran L.A. roots-rock band. The group's fifth studio album, 4-11-44, has finally hit stores—after a staggering 20-year wait.

What's even more surprising is that, over those two decades, the band didn't break up (although there have been a few personnel changes). These days, the only originals are guitarist Phil Alvin and bassist John Bazz. The most renowned former member, guitarist Dave Alvin, departed long ago for a successful solo career. From the evidence on 4-11-44, Phil isn't as a prolific a songwriter as his brother, but the title track does a great job of celebrating a lottery card as "the poor man's remedy," and the Otis Blackwell, Charlie Rich and Johnny Paycheck covers sound tailor-made.

When the Blasters formed in 1979, punk had made the world safe again for the greaser music the group was so sharp at doing. Even though they're commonly identified as a rockabilly band, the Blasters always had a broad fan base. The band summed up its own sound in a song that appeared on its first two albums called "American Music," name-checking Louisiana boogie, Delta and Chicago blues, country & western, country swing, rockabilly and jazz. And with the possible exception of jazz, all these influences have crept into the Blasters' songs. After 20 years, the original vision is still in place. But rather than resembling a musty period piece, it sounds like they merely picked up where they left off, continuing to evolve. It sure beats being another big-hair neobilly band doing the stray-cat strut. —James Porter