I make a point of listening to one or two newly released albums each month, and I guess some other grovers do the same. I thought it would be interesting if we shared reviews on these albums with one another - it might broaden our minds to some of the great rock stuff still being created out there.

I will start with 2, the new second album from Black Country Communion - if you only buy or download one album this year make it this one!

Less than 12 months ago messrs Bonamassa, Hughes, Sherinian and Bonham released a debut album of all-new material mere months after announcing the formation of this supergroup. Unlike most supergroups BCC exceeded expectations with that first album - BCC take you back to the sound of Zeppelin, Sabbath, and Purple.

Before their first album hit the streets, they were already back in the studio making their second one which has just been released.

Like the first LP, this one begins with a showing off of the abilities of all four members: “The Outsider” showcases the rumbling bass of Hughes, the authoritative pounding of Bonham and both the discipline and vituosity of Bonamassa and Sherinian. Check it out here

http://youtu.be/E1kQfnk2CtU - http://youtu.be/E1kQfnk2CtU

“Man In The Middle” is a really tight piece of funk-blues-rock. Hughes still has one of the great rock voices but Bonomassa takes over lead vocal from him on “The Battle for Hadrian’s Wall”. “Save Me” sounds like Zeppelin, and came out of the time young Bonham hung out with Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones in 2009 following the Zep reunion concert, when it briefly appeared that the band might reform with new material and a tour. Bonham brought the tune to BCC and finished it with them.

One solid rocker after another: “Smokestack Woman,” “Faithless,” “I Can See Your Spirit”, the second Bonamassa vocal “An Ordinary Son” , and "Little Secret"- none of which sound alike.

Some might say that they sound more like an amalgamation of some of the best hard rock bands from the 70's rather than having a distinct soundprint of their own. But, so what!

BCC may not have invented any new formulas but they are executing the old ones better than anyone else.

Oh and they are playing Vicar St. on 21st July - don't miss it!

Listening a lot to the latest Foo Fighters album Wasting Light - it is truly excellent.