Al Green

The title’s a misnomer. The once-prolific hero trickles instead of floods these days, and his insistence that he is compelled toward the godless songcraft that made him a star is no less goofy than his insistence that “Call Me” was really about Jesus all along. Consequently, I Can’t Stop is more workmanlike than inspired. But it nonetheless comes together nicely, with Green, in diminished but fine voice, teaming with his reassembled Hi gang. The album is easily Green’s most vital work since Love Ritual, which nailed the connection between faith and desire. Nothing here stands that tall or is that daring, but even though “My Problem Is You” and “Million to One” don’t quite crush the retro-soul pretenders, they also don’t seem insubstantial stacked against the old stuff. Ultimately, I Can’t Stop is more suited to Borders than to the boudoir, but when it comes to the good reverend, you take what you can get. And this is plenty.