JD McPherson “Undivided Heart & Soul” 2017. New West Records. McPherson’s third album was a big success for an indie release: it went to #130 on the regular Billboard album chart but hit #4 on the Indie Albums chart and, a bit inexplicably in my opinion, made it onto Rolling Stone‘s Top 40 Country Albums of 2017 at #33. It is not country unless one categorizes this record as simply “rockabilly” – which it is not. It definitely is retro and mixes a hearty dose of rockabilly into a mix that also includes soul (especially the crooners “Hunting for Sugar” and “Jubilee“), garagey-blues that sounds very Black Keys-ish (“Lucky Penny” would be right at home on their 2019 album Let’s Rock) and late 40’s/early 50’s rockin’ rhythm-and-blues (the excellent “Crying’s Just a Thing You Do“). There’s even a touch of early 2000’s indie pop (“On the Lips“), some trashy glam (“Style (Is a Losing Game)“) and, for lack of a better description, garage funk (the great title track “Undivided Heart & Soul” which is swinging and sexy). It’s a really great LP and its diversity is tied together by McPherson’s songwriting and feel for a solid rock-n-roll beat.