DUANE HOOVER, Wayward Path

Duane Hoover’s bio tells us that he’s been playing in bands “for a while” from Atlanta to NYC, with a mention of key retro-influences (T-Rex, David Bowie, Lou Reed) but no further info about the genres he excelled in. In reality though, this brilliant, multi-talented cat is a time traveler from the planet 60’s, using his stellar, otherworldly 12-track, 29-minute miracle of a debut album Wayward Path to infuse our messed up 2020s world with whimsical musical shards of British Invasion era charm, cheer and optimism before that decade too went to hell.

He artfully captures a bit that dichotomy between innocence and anxious trauma by “Who-izing” the album’s opening one-two salvo of a quick-witted, punked up “Sorrow” and a fiery jam through Donovan’s dreamy, poetic flower power ballad “Jennifer Juniper.” Originally sung in slower tempos by The McCoys, Merseybeats and Bowie, “Sorrow” (not so sorrowful here, actually) is revved up with crackling Pete Townshendesque licks/strums and cray-cray Keith Moonish drum rolls.

Keeping with the gritty, freewheeling Who aesthetic, Hoover’s quick spin on “Jennifer Juniper” reflects the album’s overall joyful sense of re-imagining seven classics while also showcasing his own chipper old school vibin’ songwriting right alongside. So many infectious entry points to choose from, If you’re in a Beatle state of mind, you could do worse than the soaring, vocal harmony filled psychedelic power trip Hoover creates from Marianne Faithful’s loping original version of “Go Away From My World.”

Or if you’re in the mood for a garage rock tune by a little-known American band that sure sounded British, give Hoover’s peppy, rhythm guitar poppin’ romp through The Choir’s 1966 gem “It’s Cold Outside.” This attention to lesser known but brilliant classics extends from Buddy Holly (a Lou Reedish stroll through “Fool’s Paradise”) to Nick Lowe (okay, so Hoover breaks the 60’s chains a bit with a tight, kick ass new wave rave on “Wishing Well”).

Hoover originals like the tasty, rolling poppers like “Wayward Path,” “It’s a Different World” and the Beach Boysesque harmony tinged “Come On” fit in so perfectly alongside the re-imaginings that you’re bound to start Googling as though you missed them back in the day before you realize Hoover is just that brilliant