Crashes On the Platinum Planet

This Boston-bred quartet built an impressive cult following in its heyday thanks to such power pop gems as “She’s Fetching” and “Meet the Witch.” On this album, founding members Bill Goffrier, Gary Waleik, and Jeff Oliphant (together with ‘90s-era bassist Tom Brewitt) revisit old obsessions and offer timely social commentary while tapping into the jangle-guitar magic that distinguished Big Dipper from the start. As before, the band combines playfully personal lyrics with a sure grasp of classic rock riffage, tempered with spiky, angular arrangements. The moods here range from the wry homage of “Robert Pollard” (a tribute to Guided by Voices’ frontman) to the wistful longing of “Forget the Chef” and the oddball seductiveness of “Hurricane Bill.” Cheeky, satiric sendups like “Lord Scrumptious” and “Market Scare” are balanced with heart-tugging tunes like “Sarah and Monica” and galloping obscurities like “Joke Outfit.” As an ensemble, Big Dipper displays an easy musical chemistry that hasn’t diminished with the decades. This is a reunion definitely worth repeating.