DLR Band: DLR Band

David Lee Roth has enjoyed a resurgence in the past year, with a rambling autobiography (Crazy From The Heat) and a greatest-hits collection (The Best) both generating widespread interest. Despite the fact that the former Van Halen frontman now has to self-release his new DLR Band's self-titled debut, he's still a household name. And, as even the most cursory listen to his new album will instantly reveal, he hasn't exactly matured, musically or lyrically. This is not a bad thing: Rock could use more of Roth's idiosyncratic, fun-loving, occasionally self-effacing spirit, even if that means stepping up your tolerance for chunky/shrieky guitar riffs and single-entendres. The closest he comes to growing up is when he makes self-aware statements like, "All those rock 'n' rollers I used to want to meet / Now they're pushing strollers and wanna be me." But this lyric, from "Tight," soon gives way to "Weekend With The Babysitter," on which a 43-year-old Roth hopes "mom and daddy are at a triple-feature." Unfortunately, that ridiculously hedonistic declaration is followed by an uncharacteristic ballad, "Black Sand," which closes the album on a bit of a whimper. But by that point, Roth has pretty effectively done his thing. DLR Band isn't exactly a triumph: The album is weighted down with lumbering come-ons like "Lose The Dress (Keep The Shoes)" and "Blacklight," which cops Led Zeppelin's hooks amid a surprisingly strained vocal. But Roth will always get away with those sins, especially as his swaggering-rock-star persona is replaced by a more likable swaggering-underdog act. (Wawazat!!, 11288 Ventura Blvd., #430, Studio City, CA 91604)