Always a lighthearted alternative to the brooding angst of the ‘90s grunge movement, the New Orleans trio Better Than Ezra continue to write and record breezy, catchy pop-rock songs that are bright on hooks and harmonies. For their eighth studio album, All Together Now, they worked with GRAMMY®-nominated mixer/producer Tony Hoffer (Fitz & The Tantrums, M83, Beck, Silversun Pickups) in his “magical room”: The Hobby Shop in Highland Park, Calif. While recording together in a room may seem the obvious way to do things, it isn’t always how records are made in the digital age. Leader Kevin Griffin insisted on having all the members there, and songs like “Crazy Lucky,” “Insane,” and “Sunflowers” thrive on the kinetic energy of having their rhythm section—bassist Tom Drummond and drummer Michael Jerome—working as one. Nearly every song features infectious “ohs” and lyrics designed to raise an eyebrow.