Over four previous albums and numerous personnel changes, the BoDeans, from Waukesha, Wis., have explored the expansive terrain of American music – country, folk, blues, R&B, pop and rockabilly – with a restless, stubborn (and sometimes erratic) passion. On Go Slow Down, the BoDeans have rediscovered the focus that made their 1986 debut, Love and Hope and Sex and Dreams (produced by T Bone Burnett), so strong.

Produced by the band with Burnett on board as executive producer, Go Slow Down reveals the BoDeans in firm control of their musical vision. The opening track, "Closer to Free," acts as an anthem for the rest of the record. Sam Llanas' and Kurt Neumann's guitars bite and jangle as Michael Ramos' organ and accordion provide coloring. Llanas' and Neumann's harmonies are free of artifice; they are, as on all BoDeans records, loaded with exuberance and emotion. Keeping the song grounded is drummer Kenny Aronoff, who guests on two tracks. Next is the soul-flavored "Save a Little." The song comes off loose and easy, with acoustic instruments (which dominate the entire album) propelling the textured harmonies into orbit. On this track (as well as on nine others), the drumming and percussion chores are handled expertly by Neumann. On all 12 of Go Slow Down's cuts, the BoDeans indulge their influences – the Everly Brothers, Sam Cooke, Hank Williams. To say that it works would be an understatement.

Go Slow Down is perhaps the finest album to date by a band that keeps on growing. With any justice, it should make the BoDeans more than critics' favorites. (RS 677)

THOM JUREK