The problem with far too many rock virtuosos is that they take themselves – and their music – too seriously. NRBQ, 25-year veterans well versed in nearly every genre of popular music, have never suffered from this predicament.

Four technically superb musicians, guitarist Al Anderson, bassist Joey Spampinato, drummer Tom Ardolino and keyboard maestro Terry Adams seem to enjoy musical jokes and pranksterish lyrics as much as righteous hooks and fancy riffs. Throughout the band's long, distinguished and very weird career, this approach has guaranteed live performances characterized by top-notch musicianship as well as energetic high jinks.

What makes for terrifically entertaining NRBQ live shows, however, has not always translated successfully onto the band's albums. Excluding the impeccable retrospective Peek-a-Boo (1990) and the hugely enjoyable early-years anthology Stay With We (1993), the group's recent recordings have consisted of one or two gems surrounded by meandering filler.

The good news is that such is not the case with the focused and tuneful Message for the Mess Age. A collection of 13 well-crafted songs, Mess Age amply demonstrates the band's strengths – infectious pop hooks, imaginative performances, pleasing harmonies and zany humor.

With NRBQ, unfortunately, there always seems to be a catch, though. Mess Age marks the last NRBQ recording that will feature Al Anderson, who, after 23 years, left the band following the album's release. All three of Anderson's compositions (co-written with outside collaborators) – "A Little Bit of Bad," "Nothin' Wrong With Me" and "A Better Word for Love" – are among the best he has ever done, perfect country-tinged pop songs laced with his masterful guitar playing and bluesy vocals.

Traditionally, Anderson has offered a (relatively) grounded counterpoint to the band's most eccentric member, the unpredictable Adams. Adams' wry take on the contemporary world translates on Mess Age to songwriting subjects that range characteristically far and wide – from designated drivers to Girl Scout cookies to the inferiority of today's jukeboxes to the evils of smoking to the perpetual misspelling of Spampinato's name. Rounding out Adams' playfulness and gruff voice is Spampinato's warm, romantic touch and keening tenor on such songs as the ballad "Ramona."

Indeed, Message for the Mess Age is the most cohesive and best sampling of NRBQ's distinctive personalities since Grooves in Orbit, from 1983. It's too bad that Anderson has bid farewell at such a high point, but, on the bright side, the addition of Spampinato's brother Johnny on guitar hopefully will infuse the band with yet another compelling musical presence. (RS 690)

HOLLY GEORGE-WARREN