After spending the better part of the last decade reinterpreting pop standards (on his five-disc Great American Songbook series), vintage soul songs and rock classics along with releasing a Christmas album, the man once known as “Rod the Mod” seems to be returning to form. Following up on the Top 10 success of 2013’s Time, he has another batch of original material coming in October. Titled Another Country, it led to speculation that (like many aging rockers) he might be going the Nashville route. But instead it’s from a number on the set about a member of the armed forces deployed overseas and missing his loved ones. The 70-year-old singer has otherwise kept his cards fairly close to his chest regarding what will be his 30th solo album – originally announced for release this spring – other than to say it will have some Celtic melodies and that he’s been exploring reggae and ska sounds.
