"I guess, if we were stars, you'd call it an all-star band, but I don't know if we are," laughs Derek Kelley.

Even though Kelley's being modest in his assessment of the Speedwobbles, that's about as close to an apt description of the band as you'll find. Not only is it fronted by Kelley, who found success with his earlier band, Wallpaper, but the rest of the seven-member group features performers from the Vells, the Brite Futures (formerly Natalie Portman's Shaved Head), Abraham and the New Faces. It's a sort of local super-group, an assembly of preternaturally talented and charismatic musicians who have successful projects in their own rights. The document that has been produced by this group - the Speedwobbles' debut LP, Bourgeoisie Marmalade - is representative of this kind of talent.

Bourgeoisie Marmalade, to put it bluntly, is not only one of the best local records to come out in some time, it's one of the best records of the year. Top to bottom, Bourgeoisie Marmalade pulls of the distinctly difficult task of replicating the sounds of classic rock so well that the songs feel instantly classic. Listening to any of these songs, one gets the impression they've heard them on the oldies station for years. This is not an easy feat, but it was one that was approached head on.

"I was reading a lot of books about engineering and recording in the '50s and '60s," says Kelley. "I had a pretty good vision for it. I mean, I guess I wanted to make a classic rock record. That was my idea. Shakers and tambourines and pianos-stuff I never could have done in Wallpaper. It was a studio record, you know?"

Part of the joy of the record is in finding the classic rock tropes that have been dug up and repurposed. Notice Kelley's Buddy Holly hiccups on "Mouths Like a Train," or the slinking "Indian Reservation"-esque bass of "Burn the New Witch." At times, the idea of it being a studio-centric album folds in on itself, with indulgent little touches that betray the record's birth in the studio. The odd warbly keyboard interlude or between-song sketch helps to cement Bourgeoisie Marmalade as a weird artifact, a full realization of intent and vision that benefits as much from its missteps as from its successes.

Being that Derek Kelley and the Speedwobbles formed for the purpose of making the record, it was an entire other task to translate the album to a live performance. Kelley insists that they're still fine-tuning it, but the band is filled with performers of such pedigree that I believe their live show manages to do justice to the record.

Full disclosure: It's here where I should note I booked Derek Kelley and the Speedwobbles' show at The New Frontier, as part of a benefit show for the upcoming Squeak and Squawk Music Festival. I didn't choose to write about them because I booked them, however; I booked them because I love them, and I tell you about it because I know you'll love them too.

Derek Kelley Kelley and the Speedwobbles

with Humble Cub and Tallest Tree
Friday, Nov. 25,
9 p.m., $7
The New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St, Tacoma
253.572.4020