Ok, I’ve been in more of a “rock” mood recently so for some of you twangvillers, these albums may have too much kick. Well, maybe not…we’ll see.   Â
Hints of BRMC, The Tender Idols and Primal Scream abound on Saturna’s new album Some Delicious Enemy. Lush guitars, delay and feedback mixed with pulsing drums make the Portland, Oregon band a great find for fans of Brit-Pop.  The band stays busy touring the left coast so check out their myspace page for upcoming shows and links to purchase the album.Â
http://www.myspace.com/saturnahq
 The Black Crowes return to form with Warpaint. Not since 1996’s Three Snakes and One Charm (probably my favorite Crowes record) have the Georgia boys sounded so good. From the sing along choruses of tunes such as “Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution” and “Oh Josephine” to the more bluesy, gut-stomping “God’s Got It” and “Whoa Mule” the band sounds young, fresh and real. (Does that make any sense?) “Walk Believer Walk” has teeth grinding guitars and a slow groove that will definitely be a live favorite. Â
 http://www.myspace.com/theblackcrowes
Hoots and Hellmouth hail from Philli. You wouldn’t know it though. I mean, when you hear acoustic guitars, mandolin and such you probably think Nashville. They released their self titled debut late last year and I would recommend this album if only for the two tracks “The Good I Know You Know” and “West of Where the Sun Goes Down” two mid-tempo charmers that rank up there with my most played for the past month. The rest of the record ain’t bad though, so no need to buy just the two songs out of context. Get the whole thing.Â
http://www.myspace.com/hootshellmouth
The Meadows squeezed in pretty nicely on my I-Tunes playlist right between The Mayfiles USA and The Mendoza Line respectively. They play sunshiney pop. The kind that you would find circa 1995 on an Oasis B-Side. The kind that makes you want to put the top down and drive west with no particular destination. The kind for spring…or summer. Its good stuff and you should definitely check out their new album entitled First Nervous Breakdown for gems such as “Knowing Don’t Change A Thing” and “Wheels On The Road.”
http://www.myspace.com/themeadows
Sometimes I just need something loud and crunchy. Not like Frosted Flakes but something that could make the eardrums bleed. Lately that something has come in the form of the Black Keys new release Attack & Release. Its their most polished to date with great extra instrumentation (see the organ on the opener “All You Ever Wanted) throughout the record but still maintaining the grittiness of a two-piece band. When “I Got Mine” kicks in, you may just tell the world to F*$# off.
http://www.myspace.com/theblackkeys
Â
Â
Â
Â
About the author: Producer, Engineer, Musician and all around music enthusiast.