Gov’t Mule dug deeply for ‘By a Thread,’ released on Oct. 27, 2009, retaining all of their soul and grit even as they emerged with a new lineup.

Perhaps the Zombies’ finest effort to date, the appropriately titled ‘Still Got That Hunger’ combines their initial vision with a fresh outlook.

With tasteful horns and a fine lead guitar, Ethan Keller delivers another delicious musical Scooby snack with his new folk-rock tune, “Lost Dog.”

On ‘Below The Belt,’ the music of the preacher from hell James Leg is satisfying to the soul – whether Leg is in his usual element or not.

An ‘Animal House’-style party ambience, surrounded by garage rock grooves and crafty pop detours, powers the New Trocaderos’ ‘Thrills and Chills.’

Herbcraft’s ‘Wot Oz’ is a saturated-sounding mono four-track recording and, with that self-imposed limitation, it’s pretty intense stuff.

Frank DiMino’s ‘Old Habits Die Hard’ is a pleasant surprise for Angel fans, or anyone who likes melodic hard rock.

That Grateful Dead spirit lives on in the down-to-earth musicianship of Chris Robinson and his Brotherhood. And like the Dead, live is better.

‘Imaginos’ went on a long, strange odyssey before finally arriving in July 1988 as Blue Oyster Cult’s most consistent album.

The best songs speak to us as individuals, allowing us to find answers for ourselves. Los Lobos’ “Gates of Gold” is one of those songs.