**1/2 The Blasters

AMERICAN MUSIC

(Hightone)

Driven by the smart, lean songwriting of Dave Alvin and the hillbilly-soulman vocals of his brother Phil, the blues- and rockabilly-influenced Blasters were one of the shining lights of the early '80s, during which they spearheaded a roots renaissance in their hometown of LA and beyond. Now, 17 years after it was first released, Hightone has reissued the band's first effort, American Music, which was recorded for the tiny Rolling Rock label a year before the band's Blasters Slash debut put them on the map. Whereas the later Blasters output was distinguished by the band's ability to put a fresh spin on traditional forms, here they lean heavily on covers, mixing in only a handful of Alvin-penned numbers (including the title track and the band's live staple "Marie, Marie"). Although this makes for a spirited set, it only hints at what the band later achieved. Diehard fans will get a kick out of the disc's archival photos; neophytes would do far better to start with The Blasters or Non Fiction.

-- Chris Erikson