Coughlin finds groove with new CD.

Byline: Scott McLennan

COLUMN: SCOTT MCLENNAN

Musician Denis Coughlin credited himself and Tremolo Lounge studio whiz Roger Lavallee as producers of the new album "Nocturnal Pop Journal." Coughlin forgot to list his sister, Sheila.

"About two years ago my sister said to me, `Make me a record that I can stick in my car and by the time I get to work, I feel better.'"

And that's the kind of record "Nocturnal Pop Journal" is: a fast-paced, up-tempo songwriting gem that finds Coughlin spinning some great tales and clearly having a good time.

Coughlin has been playing around Central Mass. since the early '90s, splitting his time between a singer-songwriter project and the Speakeasy Jazz Band. In 2001 he released the ambitious "I Go Wild," a well-intentioned dose of diversity the likes of which Coughlin wanted to rein in this time around.

"I was all over the place on `I Go Wild,' and it took so long to make," he said. "This time, I wanted something that sounded like something all the way through. The grooves are varied, but there is a consistent flow."

To kick start the project, Coughlin turned to guitar player and teacher Joe D'Angelo. Intending to better his guitar playing, Coughlin actually started writing more, saying he didn't want to go to show up to class empty-handed. D'Angelo liked what Coughlin was writing and the two kicked off a monthly duo gig at The Webster House that continues to this day at the Worcester restaurant on the last Friday and Saturday of each month.

From there, Coughlin had it in mind to record with a band, and assembled a group with D'Angelo, keyboard player Mauro DiPasquale, drummer Billy MacGillivray, and bass player Dave Martel. Lavallee contributed guitar parts, and singers Dawn Sweet and Jess Rawding fleshed out the sound.

To that lively ensemble, Coughlin brought a batch of songs that are consistently pleasant, hopeful and simply charming.

"It isn't easy to write a good, positive song without sounding saccharine or overblown. That's where Roger's genius came in. If I was dong something that was too schmaltzy, or simply had no edge, Roger would shoot me a look, and I knew I had to work on it," Coughlin said.

Coughlin launched his album with a protest song of sorts. "Green" is an eco-anthem that the singer forwarded to Al Gore, who recently shot back a thank-you note to Coughlin. The jaunty bit of environmental advocacy is the one left turn on the record and still remains within the parameters of being a pleasantly accessible listen.

Coughlin delivered some wonderfully chiseled characters in the record. There is the heart-breaker dame "Ruby Emerald Pearl" and cooler-than-cool "Bruno" (whom Coughlin eloquently likens to a kite broken free from its string). As for memorable scenes, Coughlin crafted the jazzy woodland romp "Feathers and Fur Coats" that is just ripe for an animated cartoon treatment.

In a more conventional singer-songwriter vein, Coughlin penned a variety of odes to hope. Even the darkening clouds of "Under the Rainbow" never fully consume all the sunshine. Yet, there and elsewhere, Coughlin notes the pressures of everyday life and accounts for any number of completely lousy things that can befall a person. But if you imagine the world as a vampire, as Billy Corgan once did, simply hold up "Nocturnal Pop Journal" as the good book that will chase that monster away.

Coughlin will be bringing "Nocturnal Pop Journal" to life on Saturday at a CD-release show happening at The Green Rooster Coffeehouse. It is the season opener for the coffeehouse located at the United Congregational Church, 6 Institute Road, Worcester. The show starts at 8 p.m. and Coughlin will have D'Angelo, Martel and DiPasquale with him the band stand (look for MacGillivray to join on other dates in the future).

It may have taken Coughlin awhile to get "Nocturnal Pop Journal" just the way he wanted it. The good news is that in editing and paring down that focused song cycle, Coughlin ended up with a bunch of unused songs.

"I have another record ready to go," he said.

So don't be surprised to see this guy going wild again soon.

Hip-hop duo RADIx wraps up a wildly successful slate of U.S. shows Saturday on its home turf with a show at The Lucky Dog Music Hall, 89 Green St., Worcester; then it is off to Europe for shows next month

Ernie and The Automatics, a blues band formed by car dealer king Ernie Boch Jr. and two of the guys from the original Boston lineup - guitarist Barry Goudreau and drummer Sib Hashian - is playing tomorrow at The Bull Run, Route 2A, Shirley. Country artist Rodney Crowell was due at the Bull Run this weekend, but that show is moving to May.

Jason James plays a farewell show on Saturday at Ralph's Chadwick Square Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester. James has been gigging for years around Worcester, quietly maturing into a fierce player expert in the ways of rockabilly, blues and early greaser rock. James is heading south to try his hand in the spiritual heartland of the blues, and we wish him well.

Blues singer Shirley Lewis is at Gilrein's, 802 Main St., Worcester, tomorrow. Guitar player Jim Perry, harmonica player Chet Williamson, bassist Glen Ditommasso and drummer Ron Ouimette make for a rocking R&B combo playing Saturday in the Ship Room at the Hotel Vernon in Worcester's Kelley Square. Hard Drive has a date tomorrow at Kas-Bar on Route 20 in Worcester.

Circa Survive and Ours will be at The Palladium, 261 Main St., Worcester, on Wednesday. South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo sings at Fitchburg State College on Saturday night.

And Neil Young is playing Dec. 2 and 3 at The Orpheum Theater in Boston. Tickets are $158, $98.50 and $68.50, and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through Ticketmaster.

Scott McLennan can be reached at [e-mail].

ART: PHOTO

CUTLINE: Denis Coughlin