At age 70, Garland Jeffreys works harder than kids half his age. The New York City troubadour who had the talent but not the fortune of his contemporaries—Bruce Springsteen, Graham Parker, Elvis Costello—is making up for the 13 years where he released nothing. Here, he's following up his excellent 2011 comeback album, The King of In Between, with 2013’s Truth Serum: another sturdy set filled with what was often called "neo-classic" rock ‘n’ roll in the '70s. These days, that means any band with electric and acoustic guitars, pianos, organs, and a rhythm section that nods toward soul music. Truth Serum has it all. The title track turns toward Chicago blues. “Any Rain” and “Is This the Real World” recall his vintage lyrical soul-based rock. “It’s What I Am” and “Ship of Fools” settle in for acoustic ballads that showcase Jeffreys’ cool, slippery urban delivery. “Dragons to Slay” explores his reggae influences, while “Collide the Generations,” “Colorblind Love," and “Revolution of the Mind” show he hasn’t lost his cultural edge.