Its been 3 years since the last time we got something new from Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band. In their latest release, the folk-rock group lays down almost a dozen new tracks of toe-tapping melody.

Read more for our review of the new album Last Man Standing. Already a Shupe fan? Pick up the new CD or digital download from Amazon or grab it from iTunes.

I have to reveal my bias - that I’ve been a Shupe fan for years. I think its relevant to say that this new album is every bit as good as previous efforts and for the same reasons. For diehard Rubber BAnd fans, that will be enough.

If you’re new to the band you should know that they are difficult to categorize. When I loaded toe album on my iPod, I immediately changed the genre from country, because that didn’t seem right. The band has the beat and drive of a rock group, but employs instruments (banjo, violin) that belong to folk. The result is a refreshing mix of folk-ish sound and smooth melody that carries you though lyrics that are moving, thoughtful and sometimes just fun.

The Rubber Band’s sound - and specifically this album is a rare example of what popular music was like before we indulged over-produced artificially-enhanced mega stars. Last Man Standing is a collection of great tunes after the tradition of making down-to-earth music. There will be no dance remixes or over-dubbed chorus, just sincere melodic songs that evoke genuine thoughts and emotions.

But enough about music philosophy. Lets run down the tracks:

The albums starts of with a light rock-ish tune “Don’t Leave me Lonely” that moves nicely and has a bit of a country feeling bridge. The title track “Last Man Standing” is a very Shupe song, with driving beat and the requisite violin and banjo and light-hearted lyrics. “Please Be Mine” is another romantic proposal similar to “Don’t Leave me Lonely” and is the first of several tracks that make great use of backing vocals.

“All I Need” is a methodic, slow romantic tune with the pacing of a rock ballad. “So” was one of my favorite from the start - with humorous but easy-to-relate-to lyrics about the cruelty of fate. The chorus has a beat and vocal harmony that will stick in your head all day. “10,000 Lakes” is a flowing insightful country-ish song followed by the distinctly latin sounding “If You Could Live a Different Life” and the rowdy country “My Life”.

“Lonely Person” is another country sounding song about, well, loneliness. The album is rounded out by “Be the One”, another upbeat pop-folk song similar to “Please be Mine” and “Last Man Standing”. And, die-hard fans will recognize and love the humorous “Corn Dogs”.

Last Man Standing is another great album by a truly unique set of artists. I recommend it to country and rock fans alike.