Eric Lindell’s second album is full of great songs and inspired playing while his hipster feel and look match his guitar grooves.

You get an idea with the opener, “Lay Back Down” – basic, horn-driven soul with vocal from Lindell and guitars by Lindell and Chris Mule, delivered with such deceptive ease and soul it’s easy to be swept away.

Most of the music is some form of soul with a heady mix of blues and funk. “It’s My Pleasure” is the kind of greasy funk some bands need years to perfect, with slide guitar and a punchy electric solo, it’s nasty in a good way. “Tried and True” has a great old-time rock and roll feel, like a long-lost Dion record, with vocals and a tasteful solo.

Lindell wrote or co-wrote all but one of the 12 tunes, and there’s not a bad one in the bunch. Lyrically, he says what he needs to and moves on. The one cover is Gil Scott-Heron’s “Lady Day and John Coltrane,” a bluesy shuffle and a perfect choice. And as you’d expect from any song by Scott-Heron, the lyrics flow brilliantly.

Alligator went a bit off their path when they signed Lindell, but it’s proving a wise move.