The overriding sense you get from listening to Joe Smith and the Spicy Pickles’ ‘High Fidelity,’ carefully crafted to evoke a true swinging ’40s style, is one of well being.

The Flower Pot Men’s very name, of course, says much about the era. Still, “Let’s Go to San Francisco (Pts. 1-2)” remains a stunningly produced song, and a flower-power classic.

Driven by Taylor Penrose’s southern-shaded soul-pop vocals, the Initiative’s “Gives Me Everything” evokes a cross between Jackie DeShannon and Freda Payne.

The Jangle Band certainly does emphasize the jangle on a pitch-perfect power pop single featuring Joe Algeri and others.

Southern fusion rock masters Sea Level gives a hat tip to wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes on their 1977 song “The Your Secret.”

The Arcs’ “Stay in My Corner” isn’t any muscle-popping left turn for Black Keys fans. Instead, it simply sticks with what Dan Auerbach does best.

Neal Schon’s baseline is one of torrid invention. But there’s another side to the Journey great, and an advance track for ‘Vortex’ powerfully showcases it.

Neil Young’s “Wolf Moon” features a delicately inviting sound that leads long-time fans back to ‘Harvest’ and its terrific sequel ‘Harvest Moon.’

Joe Mandica and Marty Penrose’s “Then The Light Came On,” from the Initiative’s great new album, is pop rock designed to turn your light on.

“Pachuco Cadaver,” which arrived this week in 1969 as part of Captain Beefheart’s ‘Trout Mask Replica,’ is some pretty bizarre stuff. But I love it.