Big Head Todd & the Monsters

With guitars remaining firmly in the forefront, Colorado's Big Head Todd And The Monsters ease into their album Sister Sweetly with a laid-back gait. The best of this loping stuff - like "It's Alright" - makes for catchy, radio-ready fare, as does the more rollicking "Bittersweet." Todd Park Mohr's vocals drawl smoky and inviting. But it's not until track 10 ("Circle") that the warmly glowing embers do more than wind hypnotically around a song, finally erupting into full, flaming guitars and vocal pyrotechnics. Along the way, The Monsters touch on breezy funk ("Groove Thing") and acoustic roots ("Soul For Every Cowboy"). ~ Roch Parisien, Rovi