Ringo Rama

iTunes Review

It’s easy to love Ringo Starr’s solo music because his amiable character and self-referential humor always stand out first and foremost. But with his 12th studio album Ringo Rama, the loud rocking guitars and catchy songs are more salient than his personality. Right from the get-go “Eye to Eye” opens with distorted guitar crunch, angular new-wave inspired arrangements and glammy backing vocals that all come together to sound like the kind of Britpop that fans of Oasis, Elastica, Blur and Supergrass can relate to. “I Think Therefore I Rock ‘n’ Roll” is another standout tune, with its good-time parlor piano, T.Rex-esque riffs, and gang vocals in the chorus. Hosting an eclectic array of contributing guest musicians like Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, David Gilmour, Shawn Colvin, Van Dyke Parks, Charlie Haden, and Timothy B. Schmit, there’s no doubt that this is indeed a party — Ringo Rama sounds like it was incredibly fun to make. Yet the former Beatle takes a moment to remember the late, great George Harrison on “Never Without You,” a loving tribute that’s memorable and moving without being maudlin.