You have to love a band that spits out the overt opening line "Put away your girlie magazines." First and foremost, because this can be taken in one of many ways, each equally entertaining, and second because it is immediately followed by the pulsing chant of the simple line (and title of the opening track) AOK .

This first song gives a great impression of what's to come on The Hot Rocks' self-titled debut: a mix of the Beastie Boys' blunt humor, the quirkiness of The Killers and the familiar jive of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers (the good stuff from back in the day that really broke hearts -- men's and women's alike).

This group of indie rock artists follows the mantra "Energy, sincerity, clarity of vision and creativity," and this debut album reflects each and every one of those commandments to a tee.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Eric Rocks (who brings to the table a childhood spent in East Africa) has the kind of rock'n'roll front man persona and vocals capable of making girls around the globe shriek, scream and faint even before he's hit the stage. He's supported by a talented crew of cantor and instrumentation: The Chad on vocals and guitar, Topher taking care of vocals and bass, and Jason "Steve the Pirate" Hees driving it all home on the drums.

The Hot Rocks carry the emotional heat of the stereotypical emo ensemble, but pump out tracks with all of the oomph and push of a classic rock'n'roll entourage. They were featured last year on MTV and Boost Mobile as part of the "Top 25 College Bands," and my guess is they will graduate to kings of the stage in a very short time.

Additional Tracks:
I Want You Back
Hey Hey (Rock On)