Mostly Offhanded, Garagey Appeal

The Ziggens continue to play it as straight as the first letter of the band’s name on this, the band’s fifth album since 1992. Nothing much is new, except for the presence of former Cars guitarist Elliot Easton as producer and ringer soloist. Always one of rock’s most tasteful players, Easton adds some nifty licks and textures here and there without violating the Ziggens’ fundamentally offhanded, garagey appeal.

Five of the 19 songs are remakes of previously released songs, all worth hearing again. But “The Waitress Song,” which crops up as the second track, is worrisome.

The Ziggens have always had the knack of making nutty fun come naturally, but the horn gusts and corn-pone playacting dabbed onto this remake leave the impression that the band is straining to be zany and cutely novel while throwing a pitch for swingy, Squirrel Nut Zipperish left-field success. Bless ‘em, they deserve it by any means necessary, but with its hick-accented actress and Courtney Love invocation (“Courtney Love, just because,” they sing) as innovations, there’s something about this revamped “Waitress” that turns me off.

That faint whiff of pandering is quickly blown away by the sweet, country shuffle-along number “Joseph of Arimathea,” the latest in main songwriter Bert Susanka’s ongoing series of winsome religious meditations. Singing like Paul Simon, as Susanka usually does on his quiet, folk- and country-hued songs, isn’t pandering to KROQ’s novelty appetite, and Susanka’s professions of Christian faith continue to ring true with touching sincerity and a humble absence of preachiness.

Seven of the tracks are instrumentals, and the Ziggens make a solid, punk-informed yet tradition-honoring contribution to the venerable surf-rock genre. “Surfin’ You Say” (punning titles are a Ziggens weakness--or strength, depending on how you look at it) is especially fetching, with its mellow, high plains western vibe as Easton pitches in with some Glen Campbell-like “Wichita Lineman” twang on six-string bass.

Brad Conyers makes noteworthy contributions as second-chair singer and songwriter, and his deft, clever drumming--always a highlight--gives the Ziggens the perfect foundation for rocking with vigor and humor.

* The Ziggens play tonight at the Foothill in Signal Hill. (562) 494-5196.

Ratings range from * (poor) to **** (excellent), with three stars denoting a solid recommendation.