The rubber of ER Jurken's pure pop fantasias meets the road of his second album, aided and inspired by a power trio of players from Chicago's Junegrass to crank it up and out of the park. Paul Von Mertens' string and horn arrangements highlight the gritted teeth and dripping sweat that belie Ed & Co's easy riding rock, while Jurken's heavenly vocal choir provides balm to transcend and defy the stings of everyday misfortune.