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The best rock and roll has the power to lift the sedentary from their chairs and make even the most blasé sing along. That’s a good description of what happens when you crank up Steve Conte’s new album The Steve Conte NYC Album, 10 original songs so cool they sound classic. From “Dark in the Spotlight,” an ode to an aging rock star, to the whimsical “Tax Free,” on the advantages of moving to Delaware, the former New York Doll takes a good-humored look at city barroom life and the cast of characters encountered there.  On every track Conte and his band offer high-energy grooves, infectious beats, and clever lyrics that always ring true. There’s a touching love song (“She Blinds”), tributes to old running buddies (“Anytime At All Times,” “Broken Spoke Saloon,” “Rock and Rye Queen”) and flat-out raves (“OK DJ”) and they all make you want to go out and patronize some local club.  There are no heavy moments to harsh the fun, but now and then some cryptic wisdom appears when you’re not looking for it, like this deep thought from “Lady Luck.” (“Ya got stiff competition/so try not to suck.”) No worries, Steve. You rock.

– Kay Cordtz