Free Energy/Night Moves

“Electric Fever,” the opening track on Free Energy’s terrific new album, Love Sign, sounds so familiar you’ll swear it’s a cover of some long-forgotten classic rock tune. The song suggests the extent to which the Philadelphia-based power-pop group draws from the rock ’n’ roll of yesteryear. “We all hold a special place in our hearts for Bob Seger, always,” says frontman Paul Sprangers. “It’s in our DNA. Even when we found indie rock and experimental stuff and punk rock, the radio rock will always be there.” Sprangers fondly recalls listening to a cassette tape of Seger’s Against the Wind in his father’s pickup truck; his father also introduced him to acts such as Tom Waits and The Doors. The band doesn’t draw strictly from the ’70s either -- you can hear elements of ’80s rockers The Cars in tracks such as “Dance All Night.” Album closer “Time Rolls On” swings like a mid-’80s Springsteen anthem. The band has played slightly bigger venues than the Happy Dog when it’s come through town, but decided to play the smaller Dog this time around because it likes the bar’s neighborhood feel. (Jeff Niesel)