It's difficult to believe that JD McPherson, one of the great classic-minded rock ‘n' roll singer-songwriters of the modern age, hasn't had a new album of non-seasonal material out in seven years.

It can be tempting to take a quick look around at the musical landscape of today and blurt out a cynical “rock and roll is dead” but one listen to JD McPherson can reassure even the toughest ...