4 Stars

Rockabilly lives. In the '70s, Lee Rocker and buddies Brian Setzer and Jimmy McDonnell (AKA Slim Jim Phantom) turned their love of roots music into a little trio called The Stray Cats. Ever since then, it's been a steady journey for Rocker and his solo career has led him to what might be his best record ever, "Racin' the Devil."
Rocker and his band have created a time capsule of modern rockabilly classics. "Rockin' Harder" should be the title track. A version of the Stray Cats' "Rock This Town" is better than the original; "The River Runs" is a swooning ballad that Carl Perkins would be proud of. "Funny Car Graveyard" is a blues masterpiece. Lee Rocker and his band are clearly masters of their craft. "Racin' the Devil" isn't your granddaddy's rockabilly. It's better.

-- Heather Croteau