Huey Lewis & The News: Huey Lewis (vocals, harmonica); Johnny Colla (vocals, guitar, saxophone, piano); Chris Hayes (vocals, guitar); Sean Hopper (vocals, keyboards); Bill Gibson (vocals, drums); Rob Sudduth (tenor & baritone saxophones); Ron Stallings (tenor saxophone); Marvin McFadden (trumpet); John Pierce (bass).

Additional personnel: Wynonna Judd (vocals).

Recorded at Way Out West Recording and The Site, San Rafael, California.

Silent for much of the '90s, Huey Lewis & The News re-emerged in 2001 with PLAN B, their first album in seven years. Ignoring the prevailing rap-rock and bubblegum trends of the times, this Frisco outfit whipped up a batch of tunes that sound like contemporary outtakes from a late '60s Stax/Volt session. Songs like "Let Her Go And Start Over," "Rhythm Ranch," and "My Other Woman" all benefit from Lewis's warm and raspy delivery, punchy horn arrangements and ringing harmonies. Guitarists Johnny Colla and Chris Hayes also pump up PLAN B with plenty of fat bluesy riffs that resonate on cuts like "I Never Think About You" and the rollicking title track.

Highlights abound, whether it's an infectious party anthem ("We're Not Here For A Long Time [We're Here For A Good Time]") or a slow-burn duet with country star Wynonna ("I'm Not In Love Yet"). Huey and the boys even tip their collective hat to old pal Nick Lowe (who convinced them to come over to the UK and get in on the pub-rock boom when they were still known as Clover) by executing a snappy version of "When I Write The Book" smothered in organ.

Genre:

• Pop / Rock