SweetLou – The Year Of The Rock (Independent) Seattle’s Bryan Cohen has been toiling over this ‘concept’ album for many a year, and it’s definitely been worth the wait. Ten tracks of love, lust, heartache and sheer force of will have been crafted into a satisfyingly coherent whole. The collection begins with the country-tinged rock of “Whiskey World”, a fittingly rousing start. Cohen’s rich and soulful voice, with a hint of Rufus Wainwright low range lilt, is a beautiful instrument and amongst the rockers, it is the voice that rings clear and true on “Ugly Business”, and the gorgeous closer “AA and Snowflakes”. SweetLou know what rock ‘n’ roll is about and, with a nod to Westerberg and a hat doffed to Crowded House, they create something unique and special. www.sweetlou.net Carl J. Next