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Victorious Raiders parade trophy through downtown Ashland ... State police search for pursuit suspect near Hyatt Lake ... Do you think vaccinations should be mandatory? ... Victorious Raiders parade trophy through downtown Ashland ... State police search for pursuit suspect near Hyatt Lake ... Rating old-timers' albums from 2014 Comment By Peter Chianca Wicked Local DailyTidings.com By Peter Chianca Wicked Local Posted Dec. 12, 2014 @ 8:16 am Updated Dec 12, 2014 at 9:34 AM By Peter Chianca Wicked Local Posted Dec. 12, 2014 @ 8:16 am Updated Dec 12, 2014 at 9:34 AM » Social News Turns out 2014 was a banner year for old-timers, with the 50-plus set releasing a veritable slew of original albums. But volume is one thing — how did the new stuff hold up in the quality department? Here are our grades for the latest offerings from artists of yesteryear. “Ride Out,” Bob Seger: There may not be a “Night Moves” on Seger’s first album in seven years, but there are plenty of driving original rockers, well-chosen covers and even a few choice ballads to keep longtime fans listening. And Seger’s supple growl is as appealing as ever. Rating: B. “Rockabilly Riot! All Original,” Brian Setzer: Setzer is back in full-on rockabilly mode in this sequel to his 2005 disc of Sun Records covers, but this time, they’re Setzer-penned tracks with authentic Sun-era hot licks and a raucous live feel. Rating: A-. “High Hopes,” Bruce Springsteen: These outtakes and covers are a worthy addition to any fan’s collection, even if they don’t really hang together like a Springsteen album should. But the Boss also gets extra points for also putting out an intriguing EP this year, “American Beauty.” Rating: B. “Stockholm,” Chrissie Hynde: Hynde doesn’t stray too far from Pretenders territory on her first solo album, but that’s OK — there’s still plenty she can teach would be up-and-comers about sharp-tongued, melodic guitar rock. Rating: B+. “The Breeze,” Eric Clapton (& Friends): Clapton joins with Tom Petty, Mark Knopfler and others for this tribute to his late pal, songwriter J.J. Cale, and the result is a laid-back and, well, breezy collection of blues- and country-tinged light rockers, albeit without the guitar gumption you might expect. Rating: B. “Plain Spoken,” John Mellencamp: Growling like the elder statesman he’s become, Mellencamp deftly tackles themes of aging and regret with an Americana flair. Plenty of rough-hewn pleasures, if not a lot of hooks. Rating: B. “Popular Problems,” Leonard Cohen: Literate, cheeky and heartfelt as ever, Cohen remains a marvel on his latest collection of gruff but melodic ruminations on life, love and the blues. He doesn’t break new ground, but that’s fine — that he can still do his old thing this well at age 80 is more than enough. Rating: A-. “This is ME,” Melissa Etheridge: After a couple of by-the-numbers releases, Etheridge recaptures her early fierceness on her latest effort, even experimenting with hip-hop rhythms and sharp backing vocals. Rating: B+. “Melody Road,” Neil Diamond: After several rough-and-tumble almost-solo efforts, Diamond takes a hard turn back into sap territory for much of “Melody Road” (oy, the strings!). But there’s enough melodic gruffness to these late-life love songs to make it a keeper nonetheless. Rating: B-. “PlectrumElectrum/Art Official Age,” Prince: One album would probably have been enough, but the Purple One was never known for his restraint. As it is, “PlectrumElectrum,” with his backing band 3RDEYEGIRL, delivers deliciously funked-up rock, solo outing “Art Official Age” lays out groovy, rocked-up funk, and both revel in glorious guitar excess. Rating: B+. “Lullaby and … The Ceaseless Roar,” Robert Plant: How is it possible that Robert Plant is peaking now, almost 35 years after Led Zeppelin called it quits? His latest continues his retirement-age forays into eclecticism, his vocals taking an almost dreamlike quality over haunting worldbeat rhythms. Rating: B+. “24 Karat Gold,” Stevie Nicks: The songs may be old — most were written during her Fleetwood Mac ’70s heydey, if not before — but Nicks’ vocals sound anything but. She’s still got that irresistible quaver, and some tracks, like the lilting “She Loves Him Still,” are “Landslide”-level pretty. Rating: A-. “Hypnotic Eye,” Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers: After 2013’s meandering “Mojo,” Petty was determined to rock out on his latest disc, and he mostly succeeds — despite a few sterile tracks, grinders like “Fault Lines” and “Forgotten Man” stand with his (and the Heartbreakers’) best stuff. Rating: B. “Cheek to Cheek,” Tony Bennett (& Lady Gaga): Subtlety isn’t exactly Lady Gaga’s strong suit when it comes to tackling swing and Broadway classics. (Actually, it’s never her strong suit.) But when she’s cheek to cheek with Bennett, it doesn’t matter: He’s as smooth and suave as ever at 88 (!). His rising tide lifts Gaga’s boat. Rating: B+. “Songs of Innocence,” U2: Maybe the most unjustly maligned album, well, ever, U2’s latest is spectacularly listenable, even if it lacks the anthemic splendor of some past glories. They’ve still got it, even if most people don’t want them giving it out for free. Rating: B+. “Mandatory Fun,” “Weird Al” Yankovic: His latest round of parodies and pop culture musings — notably the home-improvement “Fancy” parody “Handy” and his Pixies-style “First World Problems” — proves once again, to quote Homer Simpson, that “He who is tired of Weird Al is tired of life.” Rating: A. A version of this article was posted on Pete’s Pop Culture, Parenting & Pets Blog at northofboston.wickedlocal.com/section/blogs. Follow Peter Chianca on Twitter at @pchianca. By Peter Chianca Wicked Local DailyTidings.com By Peter Chianca Wicked Local Posted Dec. 12, 2014 @ 8:16 am Updated Dec 12, 2014 at 9:34 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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