RECORD REVIEWS

Ringo Starr

Album: “Postcards from Paradise”

Grade: B

“We were sleeping on the floor, eating bread and jam,” Ringo Starr sings, retelling the story of the early days of his band.

Right. The band. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Then comes the chorus: “We were Rory and the Hurricanes.”

Wait. You were who now?

The mystery is solved toward the end of “Rory and the Hurricanes” when he sings that by the next tour, “I was with you-know-who — I play the drums like I always do.” Indeed, the Fab order of the universe is restored. As if to add a percussive punctuation mark, a basic yet swinging drum solo follows in that inimitable Ringo style.

Forty-five years after the Beatles officially called it quits (and about decade more since he left Rory Storm and the Hurricanes to make history), Starr’s “Postcards from Paradise” comes with plenty of lyrical and musical blasts from the past to remind listeners of his role in music history. Fitting timing, as the world’s most famous musical time-keeper becomes the last of the solo Beatles to be inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in two weeks.

Some nods are obvious, like the Beatlesque mid-tempo shuffle of the title track, in which dozens of Beatles (and solo) tunes get name-checked. To wit: “I ain’t goin’ nowhere man, because I want to hold your hand.” Others are subtle, like the guitar-drum interplay on “Bridges” that calls to mind the bond between Starr and his fallen mate, George Harrison.

Overall, “Postcards” entertains as it reminisces but doesn’t break musical ground. Still, it’s a mostly fun ride that’s musically strengthened by the All-Starr Band, a top-notch group of rock journeymen. The collection is tailor-made for touring, tucked among the classics he played with, um, “you-know-who.”

—Jeff Karoub, Associated Press

Darius Rucker

Album: “Southern Style”

Grade: B+

Darius Rucker’s second career as a country singer shows no signs of slowing down on his new album, “Southern Style.”

The lead singer of the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, Rucker has scored three chart-topping solo country albums, spawning six No.1 hits, including the Grammy-winning “Wagon Wheel,” one of the most popular country hits of recent years.

“Southern Style” continues to emphasize upbeat, pop-influenced country heavy on catchy choruses. Interestingly, the former rocker comes off as more country than some of his male country peers. The mandolin-driven “High On Life” and the slide guitar-fueled “Low Country” are more relaxed than anything by Jason Aldean or Eric Church.

But the breezy feel fits Rucker’s comfortable baritone. Alan Jackson’s producer, Keith Stegall, collaborates on five songs, bringing out Rucker’s personable Southern drawl on “Baby I’m Right,” a striking duet with the under-appreciated Mallary Hope.

Meanwhile, Rucker’s longtime producer, Frank Rogers, adds new sonic treatments to “Homegrown Honey” and the title song, both of which celebrate Southern women. “Lighter Up” nicely captures contemporary country’s trends, mixing a banjo with an insistent rock beat.

At age 48, Rucker’s “Southern Style” provides plenty of reasons why this unlikely Grand Ole Opry star’s career is still on the rise.

—Michael McCall, Associated Press

EARL SWEATSHIRT

Album: “I Don’t Like S-, I Don’t Go Outside”

Grade: B-

Earl Sweatshirt is one of those guys you never see or hear coming, then, pow, he’s on you. At one performance, Sweatshirt was on stage with Tyler, the Creator, who, cap on, head down, did not realize Earl was there — until Earl blasted off with one of his panicky, fluid, sarcastic rants. That’s a Sweatshirt thing, and his new album is full of his goofy, sweaty-palms signatures.

Start with “Grief,” a gurgling, lo-fi track with Sweatshirt bursting like a hot water pipe in random fits and starts. He’s angry about missing his grandmother, and about MCs taking what’s his, whatever that may be. There’s nothing Zen about the spaced-out “Mantra.” Meditative hymns are too peaceful for him.

Other rappers who join Sweatshirt in his bugged-out journey wind up as wiggy as he. The rapper Da$H normally sounds chill, but not when he and his host wrangle with the stupid temerity of “Grown Ups.” With Earl by his side, Long Beach MC Vince Staples gives “Wool” the gravity of religion. Ultimately, Sweatshirt doesn’t need help working himself into a bloop-filled lather — being “Inside” makes Earl as neurotic as all outdoors.

—A.D. Amorosi, Philadelphia Inquirer