For hard rock and metal, 2012 certainly wasn’t the best year that I can remember. In all honesty, there were only a few albums that came across my desk that really excited me.

If somewhere in the Lone Star State there were a city where Pantera Boulevard crossed Skynyrd Street, at that intersection, you’d probably find the world headquarters of Texas Hippie Coalition.

New Music Monday is highlighted this time by new platters that matter from Blackberry Smoke, the Dust Busters with John Cohen, the Prog Collective, and intriguing tributes to Fleetwood Mac and Supertramp.