by Mark E. Waterbury

Unwritten Law - Live Music in High Places
Lava - 83632-2
Brash rocking SoCal fivesome Unwritten Law takes an interesting unplugged tack with their latest effort. Recorded at Yellowstone National Park after appearing on MTV's "Music In High Places," there's an ambient intensity to the more acoustic fueled versions of previous UL songs. "Before I Go" takes on a sort of alt folk appearance, while the version of their hit "Seein' Red" has a mellow but fervent vibe. "Blame it on Me's" raucous cow punk rocks out even with the more acoustic approach. Even folks used to hearing this band at their full throttle best will enjoy this repast while waiting for the next studio effort. URL: www.unwrittenlaw.com E-mail: Lisbeth.Cassaday@lavarecords.com

Erik Norlander - Music Machine
Think Tank Media
L.A. area keyboardist Erik Norlander injects his own songwriting personalities into this two disc set brimming with intense progressive rock that is both intelligent and full of life. Norlander takes his solid roots and jolts them with power ranging from dramatic majesty to straight ahead brash. Joining Norlander are a number of top notch players. One of rock's top vocalists Kelly Keeling lends his powerhouse voice and incredible versatility to tracks like "Beware the Vampires" and "Andromeda." Peer Verschuren and Neil Citron are among the great ax slingers, which also include Buck "Dharma" Roeser on the aptly BOC-ish "Lost Highway." Forces behind the stellar rhythm power plant include bassist Tony Franklin and drummers Vinnie Appice, Greg Bisonette and Virgil Donati. Even with all this talent around him, the focus is deservedly on Norlander, whose prowess on the keys makes you think of Wakeman, Emerson and Rudess. Weaving modern and retro styles of prog, metal, rock and a bit of jazz, Norlander has provided us with a veritable gourmet buffet of music that can be devoured and savored from beginning to end. URL: www.thetank.com E-mail: eriknorlander@thetank.com

Evanescence - Fallen
Wind-Up - 60150-13063-2
The lead track of "Going Under" from the debut by Little Rock's Evanescence is a heady combination of seething power & hooky chorus, showcasing the potent vocals of Amy Lee that find influences from Bjork and P.J. Harvey. This sets a certain overall vibe, with songs that weave edginess with a touch of electronica and even ambient metal featuring dramatically melodic passages. Some songs are a bit more straightforward, like the gutsy rocker "Everybody's Fool, " and the luscious ballad "My Immortal." Overall one of the more intriguing female vocal driven acts in quite awhile. URL: www.evanescence.com

Q-Ball - In Space
Bald Freak Music
"In Space" is an apt title for this debut album by Q-Ball, that laces electronica, alt rock and retro psychedelia with vocals and lyrics whose influences range from Bono to Zappa. The frenetic "Get on the Bus" pulses with a near house music power while "Candle Wax" has a twisted funky groove. "Chew" puts intelligent lyrics into a dance music vibe. Another innovative band trying to bring music into the future by holding onto various roots, combining them with a futuristic insanity and a healthy dose of instrumental talent. URL: www.qballmusic.com E-mail: qball@qballmusic.com

The Codetalkers with Col. Bruce Hampton
Harmonized Records - HAR-004
The Codetalkers with Col. Bruce Hampton continue to turn out rollicking tunes that follow the path of some of the more country-fried work from the Dead. Hampton's unique guitar plucking that brings to mind a melding of Jimmy Vaughan and Brian Setzer give zest to the songs, and are backed wonderfully by the undeniable talents of guitar/mandolin/keyboardist Bobby Lee Rodgers, bassist Sean Peterson and drummer Tyler Greenwell. With styles ranging from rockin' Texas to Georgia soul and Carolina hillbilly, the Colonel and his friends continue to prove that they are one of the more talented and refreshing voices in the post-Dead era. URL: www.TheCodetalkers.com E-mail: drew@homegrownmusic.net

Cider - Sugarcoat
Chartelo Records
Orlando's Cider has a good grip on how to write music with comfortable hooks, and put enough subtitles into several areas of the execution to keep things interesting. "Lovely" is a perfect example, balancing crunchy guitars, popish verses and harmonic vocals to great effect. The musicianship is solid and there are some neat little twists and turns to add extra spice. The songs are predominately uplifting, and although it isn't really breaking much in the way of new ground, that in itself is refreshing these days. URL: www.cidermusic.com E-mail: ari@degy.com

Carrie Newcomer - The Gathering of Spirits
Philo Records - 116711 243-2
Veteran Massachusetts singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer graces us with another CD full of passionate music. Her incredibly emotive voice tunes you right into the poignant lyrics. Backed by several talented musicians, the vehicles for her words ranges from Celtic tinged ballads to acoustic bluegrass and various tendrils of roots country. Allison Krause lends background vocals to "The Gathering of the Spirits" and some comparisons can be drawn between Krause and Newcomer, but Newcomer pours her soul into the songs in her own stunningly beautiful way. URL: www.carrienewcomer.com E-mail: windchimep@aol.com

Big Fat Jam - Welcome to Wonderland
Absolute Records - AB567150-2
Big Fat Jam is a Christian power rock explosion with elements of soul and Southern rock kicked in the butt with a guitar fueled attack and gutsy vocals. You feel a definite Black Crowes influence here, particularly on "What Can I Do" as well as a bit of some of the alt roots rock that Brother Cane dabbled in. It's a little different from most Christian bands out there, not just musically but in the way the impassioned lyrics speak more of values and attitudes than direct preaching. This puts the music in an accessible context that is further augmented by the killer rock and roll that is conveying it. URL: www.bigfatjam.com E-mail: rebecca@absoluterecords.com

Agatha Crawl - Insolence
Gotham Records - 40014-2
Ian Hunter said that "Cleveland rocks," and its indigenous band Agatha Crawl is stamping a furious exclamation point on that. Avant-garde metal that drives powerful but melodic vocals with thundering guitars ala Tool and Pantara is laced with tasty flourishes of goth, prog, thrash and even a touch of punk. Check out the title track that builds in intensity like an approaching tornado, the surprising power ballad "Feel This" and the brutal groove of "U.Y.T." The versatile talent of this group is obvious as they stretch the barriers breathing welcome innovation into the metal scene. URL: www.agathacrawl.com E-mail: patrick@gothamrecords.com

Steve Gibb - Zig Zag
Stem Productions - SP001
England born Steve Gibb puts a refreshing slant on the term guitar virtuoso with his new release "Zig Zag." Showing incredible diversity with influences ranging from rock shredders like Satriani to gutsy pre-surf punkers like Link Wray and more classically trained pickers like Adrian Legg. His own style is definitely prominent as he melds the varied influences into each other in subtle ways. In spite of the fact that some of the song styles stray in different directions, Gibb's guitar abilities are astonishing, and they will keep any fan of guitar talent enthralled from start to finish. URL: www.stevegibb.com E-mail: steve@stevegibb.com