Romantica lead

Once best-known around town as the brother of Valet bandleader Robin Kyle, Romantica frontman Ben Kyle could become the more famous of the two siblings with this week's release of "America," his melodic folk-rock band's second album for 2024 Records.

This is the kind of record I can recommend to everyone. It's sweet and (truth in advertising) romantic, and the Irish-born Kyle is true to his roots with ample melancholy and poetic license. He gets MVP instrumental support from full-time band member Jessy Greene and Americana specialists Eric Heywood, Peter Rasmussen and Eric Brandt.

Kyle fares best in his most personal tunes, such as the up-tempo waltz "The National Side," about his family's migration to America. At times, he wears his influences a bit too proudly. "Ixcatan" mimics Springsteen's "Nebraska," and the deeply blue "Fiona" echoes Ryan Adams. But hey, if you're gonna copy two songwriters ... CD-release party is tonight at the Varsity Theater (8 p.m., $10).

-Chris Riemenschneider