KGC - Dirty Bomb
4 stars

Where are all these female fronted dance rock bands coming from? This time around the band is a combination of members of the defunct Curve and KMFDM. The record is heavier on the moody dance numbers than any rock.

Lucia Cifarelli's vocals are the perfect breathy, smoky match to Dean Garcia and Sacha Konietzko's swirling instrumentals. While it doesn't have the pop hooks of some similarly minded bands, the cool kids will hearken back to this as the real deal in 2007. Preview and Purchase This CD OnlineThe Four Degrees - Red on Red on Red
3 stars

The Four Degrees display a bland sound that gives nods to surf rock, slow-motion punk, country rock, rhythm and blues; really just a melting pot of whatever they found in the fridge.

There is an odd combination of goofy and serious moods throughout Red on Red on Red. The band is infinitely more interesting when they get serious. "The Loneliest Road in America" is an effective, moving song. Unfortunately it comes at the end of an album full of songs like the forgettable "One Last Look Around".

The band is all over the place without ever hitting a single target. A few times they get pretty dang close. Preview and Purchase This CD Online

The Hard Lessons - Wise Up! and Hard Lessons
3.5 stars

The Hard Lessons are a garage rock band from Detroit. Don't hold that against them though. They are actually not your typical Detroit garage rock band. There are a few icons of Detroit that loom heavily on everyone plying their wares as a rock band.

The Hard Lessons are not Stooges wannabe's, they don't hold aloft a Bob Seger lantern, but a small Motown candle is burning. After their full length debut in 2005, the Hard Lessons toured endlessly with a high octane rock show. The two releases here seem like odd follow-ups to a warmly received debut.

Wise Up! is a 5-song EP that is nothing short of hard charging, catchy rock music. The guitars are loud, the drums pounding, and the boy/girl vocal duo shout some catchy harmonies, when they are not being slightly annoying.

Hard Lessons is a 3-song EP tribute to Neil Young. Two versions "Hey Hey, My My" are bland rock takes on what was a scathing song in its original form. An electrified "Harvest Moon" strips the charm from the original. Maybe they should just stick to their own songs. The Hard Lessons are much better that way. Preview and Purchase This CD Online

Christine Martucci Band - I'm All In
3 stars

The Christine Martucci Band parlays professional musicianship into a top notch impersonation of Melissa Etheridge. It's probably unfair to say that since Martucci's voice and songs are much more suited to dingy bars and clubs instead of stodgy environmental documentaries.

I'm All In gets interesting when the band cuts loose and works that bar band vibe, like in the bluesy "Come the Night". The songs that are obvious stabs at commercial liability get a glossier finish that just isn't as appealing. The particularly smooth "There for You" pushes toward a climax that never comes.

That is the ultimate feeling of I'm all in. It's good, but where is it we are going, anyway. Preview and Purchase This CD Online

Swampdawamp - Swampdawamp
4 stars

Swampdawamp is a good-time, bluesy, boozy rock band with big guitars, big choruses and a big vocalist. There is nothing here you haven't heard before but the band does it so well and with a wide grin across their faces.

The band makes this loud bar band music sound effortless but it is a fun ride and lead guitarist Marty Hill is hardly going through the motions. Fans of Stevie Ray Vaughn and simple southern country/rock/blues should have plenty to be pleased with here. Preview and Purchase This CD Online

Philpot - Hate Writes Better than Love
3 stars

The hype machine has been churning for Philpot. Some attention on MySpace and even a few favorable write ups in New York publications have the band set up for success with their second record, Hate Writes Better than Love.

The band has a grungy REM vibe. Decent songs get a flat production on record. Bluesy leads get buried, funky riffs are pushed to the background and the vocalist is stuck on one note.

Hopefully their live show is as good as the press says. The album just doesn't have the energy it should. The band is actually deserving of the hype, maybe next time around they can pull together a better album. Preview and Purchase This CD Online

Oh No Not Stereo - EP
3 stars

Big abrasive riffs provide hooks-a-plenty on this six song EP from Oh No Not Stereo. Then they get a little emo in the verses. Just when you think you've found a brash rock band, they become a paint-by-the-emo picture.