In Brief

* * * Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band, “It’s a Mystery,” Capitol. Seger’s first new album in four years has its share of clunkers burdened by punch-pulling, synth-happy production, uninvolving social commentary and strained vocals, but its highlights are enough to bring Seger back from the brink of irrelevance. A welcome, if partial, reassertion of strength.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four (excellent).