M.C.

With New Orleans’ beloved subdudes on hiatus, singer and guitarist Tommy Malone has released his first official solo album in 12 years, packed with appealing music in a vein reminiscent of his old group. These songs of love—good and gone wrong—thrive on Malone’s soulful, expressive vocals and impressive slide guitar. It’s a rangy mix, with the swampy rock stomp of opener “Home,” the unplugged Americana of “Hope Diner,” the old-school R&B grooves of “God Knows” and “Wake Up Time,” the intimate balladry of “Distance” and “Didn’t Wanna Hear It,” and the laidback twang of “Important To Me.” The rousing title track of burnished Americana feels like a great lost nugget by The Band.