* * * * <i> Great Balls of Fire</i> * * * <i> Good Vibrations</i> * * <i> Maybe Baby</i> * <i> Running on Empty : </i> : New York Cowpokes

* * * THE LAST ROUNDUP. “Twister!” Rounder. Like Dan Hicks and Asleep at the Wheel, the Last Roundup makes music that can be read as a plain and simple homage to classic Texas swing; at the same time, these lazy cowpoke tunes about busted hearts and one too many beers seem absolutely of the moment and sparkle with original wit.

The New York quartet’s central strength is the songwriting of guitarists Amy Rigby and Michael McMahon, both of whom were blessed with a terrific ear for melody and a talent for telling stories in song. Rigby’s tunes exude a wistful goofiness reminiscent of the Roches, while McMahon’s songs are built around a tougher, gutbucket humor. Lead vocalist Angel Dean has a versatile voice that enables her to sing McMahon’s down and dirty bad gal songs with the throaty power they require, then flip into a tear-stained, Patsy Cline mode for Rigby’s songs.

Unfortunately, this meat-and-potatoes music isn’t Nashville and it isn’t pop; in other words, it isn’t remotely commercial. It is, however, highly recommended.