Ringo Starr: Choose Love

Although not up to the all-star standards of "Ringo," his 1973 quasi-masterpiece, Starr's recent formula keeps paying dividends. If you liked 1992's "Time Takes Time" or 1998's "Vertical Man," you'll like this. (Available in a regular CD format or in a "dualdisc" format with a DVD featuring lyrics, a bio, and an "album documentary.")

With fully half of his old band gone now, and Paul, as is his wont, buried deep in his own cozy bubble of domesticity and occasional fame, Ringo Starr desperately needed to locate a group of musicians he could find common ground with if he wanted to remain more than another act on the oldies circuit. He found it with a group of industry vets (including the middle Hudson Brother, Mark), on 1998's "Vertical Man" and its followup, 2003's "Ringorama." "Choose Love" features that same group, dubbed the Roundheads, and the groove they've settled into is a comfortable one.

The main differences this time out lie in that familiarity: this is the most band-oriented solo record the Beatles' drummer has ever made, and while there are a few guest appearances (the Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde, sixth Beatle Billy Preston, and "sacred steel" phenom Robert Randolph), most of what happens here is a direct result of Roundheads playing together. This also means the obligatory Beatles references feel more organic than ever, as if Starr were acknowledging the past without feeling tied to it. Standouts include Rings coming to grips with his own religion on "Oh My Lord," the relationship lament "Why Am I Always Wrong?" and a cute goofoff of a closer entitled "Free Drinks." The sunny optimism that pervades Ringo's work is present, as always, and so while you may not hear these songs on the radio, you'll enjoy them for the innocuous pop they are. The band certainly sounds like it's having fun.