Preacher & The President

Fun. There's no better way to describe guitarist Joe Louis Walker's Preacher and the President, rife as it is with chunky riffs, killer solos, and a groove smooth enough to skate on. Topping things off is a healthy dose of attitude, leavening solid material and tight arrangements with warmth and humor. Walker's backing band is as on target as anyone could wish; just check out that bass line and those horn punches on "Lyin' in the Name of Love," or the driving drumbeat on "Yveline." Walker can lay back, too; there's a real tenderness on "Pride of a Fool" that's enough to reaffirm anyone's waning faith in love songs. It just doesn't get any better than this. --Genevieve Williams