Zanes defies has-been destiny ’80s star’s ‘People’ outdoes expectations

Editor’s Note: In Sound Advice, the first Friday of every month, veteran BDN entertainment writer Dale McGarrigle and former British music-press writer Adam Corrigan and a revolving stable of BDN writers review new albums from across the musical spectrum.

“People That I’m Wrong For” (Dualtone) – Warren Zanes

It’s an old story – a band garners early critical acclaim and a rabid but small fan base. Then they have no hits, interest wanes for all involved, and the band members eventually become the answers to trivia questions. Hey, anybody here remember the Del Fuegos?

Back in the ’80s, Warren Zanes was guitarist for one of Boston’s brightest hopes turned also-rans. But since quitting the Del Fuegos nearly 20 years ago, he has done a pretty good job of failing to fade into obscurity. He went back to college, got a Ph.D. and currently is a professor at Case Western Reserve. He is a vice-president at Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a writer whose work has appeared in little publications like The L.A. Times and Rolling Stone.

Now to really make you feel sick with envy, he’s releasing his second solo album “People That I’m Wrong For,” and it would be a pleasure to snidely imply that Mr. Zanes should stick with one of his day jobs. Ahh if only.

Recorded in Nashville over a single week, “People” is a languorous piece of flag-free country music, drifting hazily under buzzing, sun-slashed skies. With the CD weighing in at less than 40 minutes and packed with three-minute gems like the power pop of “Ella’s Arms” or the wistful spirit of the title track, it feels like music done the old way.

Following on the heels of 2003’s label-troubled (but equally worthy) comeback “Memory Girls,” “People” shows that Zanes has far too much talent and drive for his own good. Heaven knows what he might have delivered if he’d spent any longer in the studio. – Adam Corrigan

“All the Stars and Boulevards” (Epic) – Augustana

They call it “indie-swoon” music. Confused? I was, too, which I guess is why it took me about three weeks to give this CD a listen.

Well, better late than never.

The better way to describe this debut album by a quartet hailing from California and the Midwest is nuanced rock featuring car stereo-blastable tracks as well as emotionally appealing ballads. Album producer Brendan O’Brien, who has worked with Pearl Jam and Bruce Springsteen, helped Augustana shape a signature sound of “a fusion of European rock and organic Americana.”

Lead singer Dan Layus may have put it best when he said “Everyone varies on what they really love and what they listen to. But I think we meet in the right places.”

Whatever you want to call it, the sound created by this multitalented quartet is well worth a listen. The title track is the clear standout, but there’s plenty where that came from. Perhaps what makes this group so appealing is the way its members fuse vocals with piano, guitar, bass, drums and other keyboards to give it an identity that helps it stand out from the madding musical crowd. – Andrew Neff

“The Secret Life of” (Sire) – The Veronicas

This is what Joan Jett’s musical offspring would sound like.

Who can that be now? It’s the Veronicas, 20-year-old identical twins Jess and Lisa Origliasso, hailing from Brisbane, Australia. But there’s no shrimp in these Barbies – they love rock ‘n’ roll.

The edgy pair prove talented songwriters on their debut album, tackling issues that matter to tween and teen girls everywhere. For the many whom the lyrics don’t speak to, there’s plenty of hooky, tantalizing rock to go around, finessed by the veteran producers and songwriters with whom the duo has been paired.

What separates these twins from the pop tarts of recent years, now slouching toward obscurity? Teeth. The Veronicas are the latest scream of grrll power, without the obligatory addictions and arrests. (Where are you now, Courtney Love?)

This album isn’t groundbreaking, but it is promising. Potential is a weighty burden, but the Origliasso sisters seem up to the challenge.

I’d give “The Secret Life of” an 85. It’s got a good beat, and you can dance to it. – Dale McGarrigle