Since has four bands going in the early innings of 2022 -- , , and -- as well as occasionally producing other acts and sitting in with every once in a while, it's hard to say why he felt the need (or could find the time) to cut a solo album. doesn't offer a specific answer to this question on 2022's , though judging from the music, it boils down to him being a guy who loves rock & roll and believes you cannot have too much of it in your life. And with these ten songs as Exhibit A, only a fool would suggest he's wrong. is hardly a radical departure from ' usual work, though it does show off some pop accents that one might not expect, especially the acoustic guitars and piano on "Days of Auld Lang Syne" and the title cut, the retro synth bassline on "I Hate My Neighbors in the Yellow House," and the hip-shaking boogie of "Rip from the Bone." But the heart of this LP is founded, now as always, in tough electric guitars and the grainy wail of ' voice, and even on the most measured cuts, this music stomps hard and with brawny authority. This is the soundtrack to a wild party where the stereo is on full blast, things will get broken, and the neighbors will complain. And who doesn't want that sort of a Friday night every once in a while? The craft on is strong without spoiling the spontaneous spirit of the performances, and 's accompanists (including his bandmates and of ) give him all the fire and punch he needs. isn't a great album from ' stable of musical projects, but it's a really good one, and it will make 30 minutes of your life significantly more exciting and enjoyable, and if that's not a good enough reason to listen to an album, what is? ~ Mark Deming