The Derailers - Soldiers of Love

This sixth album by the Derailers, the first since the departure of former frontman Tony Villanueva, is a dramatic turn toward '60s pop music. Former sideman, now leader, Brian Hofeldt, whose pop leanings colored previous releases, leads the band a bit away from their previous Buck Owens-like sound, with much of this record sounding closer to the Beatles' version of "Act Naturally" than to Owens'.

The records start and ends with undeniably country tracks, but the middle dips its toe into several '50s and '60s pop/rock sub-genres. Several songs bring to mind the "mod"-ified rockabilly covers of the early Beatles, while others venture into soul and go-go influenced sounds.

Listen:
The Derailers - Cattin'

Buy:
From Amazon