Roots rock anyone? Hmm...in a world where bad band names are becoming the norm, I guess I shouldn't be at all surprised with 'Sweetkiss Momma' should I? Anyway, it's only a name. Let's not let that cloud my judgement as I ease the disc into the player and brace myself.

'Ready To Go' gets things off to a start and has a wailing wah-wah and some decent riffing happening. So this is 'roots rock' then (even it is one of  the worst names I've come across). In fairness there is enough dirt in these here grooves to keep me interested past the band name and album title. Yeah, it's Southern rock-ish but when you look inside this record a little there are some pretty decent songs on offer. 

The singer reminds me of Nicky Moore from Samson (obviously not that good, but there are similarities in there). 'Son Of The Mountain' has a vibe of mid-career Black Crowes about it, even if I haven't got a clue what Jeff Hamel is singing about - tree hugging and all that, it sort of fits the bill that these would be compared to the brothers Robinson and I'm sure their influence has rubbed off somewhat with, again, some decent riffing going on on the track. I perked up when 'Slow Fade' chilled in with some nice gob iron honking from Jeff Hamel as the song sort of slinks in on a laid back melody with some lazy backbeat and good arrangement of trumpet and sax that compliment a very decent and unexpected song. Having now caught my attention 'Mercy Love' then shuffles in with some decent guitar work licking the song into shape. 'Strange Fire' comes in on a lingering organ chord bringing with it a passing resemblance to 'Drift Away' but sort of cruising on for six minutes - a little long in my humble opinion.

Some nice sounds on 'Sugar In The Raw' as it swaggers through the speakers. 'Come Clean' reminds me of Counting Crows, it's that sort of easy Southern rock vibe. I definitely enjoyed moments on this album but there is a little something lacking, that X Factor I guess, even if there are elements of the Black Crowes in here it's the period of the Crowes  when they lost their way a little if I'm honest.

I'm sure fans of Southern/roots rock would put me straight on what I consider to be the dull period of the Black Crowes' career but Sweetkiss Momma have released an album that will have said fans queueing around the block to get a piece, but I can't see it converting non believers into the fold.

www.myspace.com/sweetkissmomma