And once the outfit's all warmed up, Lovett gives his backup singers a robust workout on the gospel standard "Ain't No More Cane," which seamlessly flows out of his own spiritual "I Will Rise Up." From there, the focus shifts to the high-haired Texan's folkish songwriting, which is as impeccable as the performances on an album that may be Large, but is never overstated.

Imperial Teen, 'The Hair the TV the Baby & the Band' ★★★ ½

Fizzy odd pop done with righteous infectious frenzy is Imperial Teen's metier. Even if its members aren't exactly teens (the CD's title refers to what the seasoned quartet has been up to since its last record), they're sounding like overgrown kids, imperial ones at that.

Yet they never extend themselves to trend or fancy. The results - in line with the band's first smash, "Yoo-Hoo" - are party-ballers like "Sweet Potato" and "Shim Sham," with girl/boy harmonies and dippy rhythmic kicks.

But cut into "Shim's" sugary mood is this ruminative lyric: "Now and then seems like a different scene." They're not fooling themselves. Still, there's nothing tarnished or tired about the ringing "Room With a View" or the buzzing "One Two." Imperial Teen isn't as dynamic as Neil Young. But no rust this good ever sleeps.