Red Rock Roosters - Altitude Is Everything (1998)

Many times, a CD has to be played through a few times beforeou can get a real feel for what the artist is attempting to convey musically. This is not the case with Colorado's Red Rock Roosters. From the opening notes of the band's theme song, "Red Rock Rooster," the gears are set in motion, and there's nothing left to do but lean back, hold on, and put your ol' Fat Boy out on the asphalt and get some wind in your hair. This is some of the hottest rocking music this side of Lynyrd Skynyrd, with a major dose of originality. "Charleston" is downright funky, a perfect tune to groove to while riding your Harley through the mountains, featuring powerful vocals from James "J.D." Hash, who also plays guitar. Hash, along with bassist Curtis "Bear" Rawlins, guitarist Bobby Barth (former Blackfoot member and producer, among other accomplishments, who also produced this recording) and drummer Eric "Buzz" Wallace make up the band. "Circuit Rider," which features Bear on lead vocals, has a distinctive dual-lead guitar riff that immediately paints an image of the Outlaws, and "Bad Sometimes" is a hard-hitting rocker with outstanding guitar work and arrangement. "Don't Steal the Show" once again proves that the Red Rock Roosters have a real gift for vocal harmonies, arrangements and guitar artistry.

One of the coolest tracks on this otherwise Southern rock-blues flavored release is "Get Ready" (the old Temptations song), and the Roosters do it up right, with dead-on backing harmonies behind Rawlins' soaring lead vocal. Don't be surprised if you find your funky butt up and dancing like you haven't danced since 1969! "Just Before the Dawn" is a rocking anthem with an anti-violence theme, and "Glory Road" paints an all-too-clear picture of life on the road in a rock & roll band. "Makin' love to the highway every night when the singing's through/Every girl looks the same they all remind me of you." The musical bridge has an almost Beatlesque sound, lodged right in the middle of an Outlaws/Skynyrd rockfest. That's the great thing about the Red Rock Roosters: they are never predictable. "Dutch Flowers" closes out a set that has all the elements of a hit album. It's quite obvious that the Red Rock Roosters are on their way to the top. If you're looking for a smoking hot album with all the flavor of Southern rock, mingled with influences from all across the rock family tree, this album is for you. Simply stated, this is a great record.