Urgency and insurgency are at the root of The Lonesomes` "Quick Fixes & Power Trips," the Portland quartet`s rocking follow-up to their breezier 2004 debut "Circling The Sun." Bolstered by the addition of lead guitarist Mark Dybvig (Thrillbilly), The Lonesomes have delivered 12 varied takes on 70s rock that are both sweet and searing. Literate and character-driven in a way similar to early Springsteen, the tunes put a modern spin on timeless themes of war, God and love, at times echoing the disappointment of an American public that feels duped. The overall sound, though, is much more early Jayhawks and Velvet Crush. Produced by 44 Long`s Brian Berg (John Doe, Robert Pollard), who lends keyboards and occasional backing vocals, "Quick Fixes & Power Trips" is an edgy romp in the vein of Drive-By Truckers and Son Volt, where intimate story-telling meets heavy guitar licks, fish-hook bass lines and machine-gun drum rolls. (self-released)
