Thompson’s Zingers Aim for Head, Heart

The trajectory of Richard Thompson’s career can’t be measured by pop hits or platinum sales. The English singer-guitarist has never conquered the charts, but his career is beyond dependable, producing albums of increasing grace, power and meaning.

At the Roxy on Wednesday, Thompson again proved himself in that small class of ‘60s pop artists who remain inspired enough in the ‘90s to create work of growing richness and intensity. Like Neil Young and Lou Reed, the man isn’t interested in aging comfortably.

On Wednesday, Thompson and his four-piece band mixed shimmering acoustic ballads with explosive, straight-ahead rock that would seem ready for so-called “classic rock” radio playlists if those stations weren’t overloaded with faded pop heroes and overrated blues-rock prodigies.

His work explores both difficult romance and the down-and-out. Dressed in black and with a turquoise electric guitar slung over his shoulder, Thompson crafted rock that was smart and emotional on “Bathsheba Smiles” (from his upcoming “Mock Tudor” album).

Midway through his nearly two-hour performance, the band charged with withering intensity through “Hard on Me,” built on snappy bass lines and exciting, expressive guitar playing. The cumulative effect was powerful enough to inspire one fan to beg him to repeat it.

“Well,” Thompson joked, “you’ll have to buy the record, won’t ya?”