Kevin Bronson on October 27th, 2010

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This happens sometimes: You like the side project more than you like the real deal. Such is the case with Taylor Locke & the Roughs – the four-piece anchored by the Rooney guitarist, along with Chris Price, ex-Like bassist Charlotte Froom and drummer Mikey McCormack. In April, Locke released “Grain & Grape” (including the track “Jennifer”), an unfettered take on power-pop that reminded me at turns of some of the best: the Beatles, Big Star, Badfinger, Matthew Sweet, Jason Falkner and Brendan Benson. Apparently there was more where that came from, because now the quartet has released another album, “Marathon,” which is every bit as good. (And, yes, it has a song titled “Badfinger.”) Nothing against Rooney’s fine June release “Eureka,” but for a more expansive (and perhaps less self-conscious) take on rock built out of hooks and harmonies, Locke has two albums worth of muscle.

||| Live: Taylor Locke & the Roughs perform tonight at Bordello.