Kracker’s back and ready to party

While some might have forgotten about Uncle Kracker in the four years since his last album, “72 and Sunny,” his newest, “Happy Hour,” could make us glad he’s back.

The charmingly heartfelt and upbeat “Smile” is an appropriate jumping off point for the album. After that, listeners are in for a carefree, witty, roll-down-the-windows-and-drive kind of ride.

As the album progresses it also offers little, wonderful surprises, including “My Girlfriend,” where a guy meets a nice woman at the gym, resulting in a broken relationship and a broken heart.

In “Livin’ the Dream,” Kracker offers another pleasant surprise by integrating the familiar chorus of Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again” with his own catchy tunes.

Finally, “Corner Bar,” an ode to Kracker’s hometown of Detroit, is full of refreshingly witty one-liners like “Swimming through bills like Michael Phelps.”

Although mildly reminiscent of some of Kracker’s past hits like “Follow Me” or “Drift Away,” “Happy Hour” has a likable simplicity, catchy melodies and relatable, deeply thoughtful lyrics.