Review

Detroit power-pop star’s second album delivers in a big way.
Lapalco is the long awaited sophomore release from Detroit power-pop star Brendan Benson and features several collaborations with fellow power-pop heavyweight Jason Falkner. Lapalco, lauded by both press and fans, offers a nice variety of songs, from the hook-filled, instantly sing-along-able "Tiny Spark," which features Falkner on vocals, to the thoughtful "Life in D." Benson brings together a number of influences to create a completely unique sound, from old ragtime tunes to Queen to Falkner's earlier solo work. Second albums, especially those as anticipated as this one, don't always deliver, but Lapalco does in a big way.