Cockroach

Cockroach is a notorious record: meant to be Danger Danger’s third album, it stayed unreleased for years after Ted Poley’s firing and the ensuing lawsuit. Recorded in 1992-93 in Miami and Morin Heights, Quebec, its release was frozen, and it finally appeared in 2001 as a double album holding two vocal versions — one by Poley, one by Paul Laine. This disc is the Paul Laine version (Vol. 1), his technical, expansive singing coloring the whole. Recorded after Kasey Smith’s departure, it features a beefy, guitar-centered sound with restrained keyboards, with Andy Timmons’ guitar shining. Ravel and West produced, co-produced by Paul Northfield. “Still Kickin',” “Good Time,” “Walk It Like Ya Talk It” and more plainly convey the band’s strengths with big choruses and crisp guitar. It also includes a cover of Jim Croce’s classic “Time in a Bottle.” Even without knowing the tangled history, its strong hooks are a full pleasure — a record ranking among the band’s best, alongside the debut.