WigPETER CASE

Wig!

[Yep Roc]

To paraphrase 19th-century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, Peter Case has learned that what doesn’t kill you makes you rock harder. The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter survived a near-fatal heart attack last year to create his liveliest album in years. “Banks of the River” kicks with a jolt of bluesy rock ‘n’ roll, and the roadhouse ride continues from there. Teaming up with longtime X drummer DJ Bonebrake and Gasoline Silver guitarist Ron Franklin, Case cranked out 11 tunes in just a couple days, and the album exudes the free-spirited, off-the-cuff vibe of its making. Rambunctious numbers like “House Rent Jump,” “Colors of Night” and “Somebody Told the Truth” hold a charming lo-fi grittiness. (The latter offers a posthumous salute to the late guitarist Duane Jarvis.) The jangly “Word in Red,” suggesting a dirtied-up Byrds tune, provides a welcome change of pace—as does the acoustic closer, “House Rent Party,” an evocative story-song that’s classic Case. –Michael Berick

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