On this fine album, the Blues Explosion rants, raves, and ultimately knocks some sense into your ass. Miles away from the punk edge of their first album, yet before the hip-hop-influenced Orange, Extra Width is a journey through the world of soul and funk. The trio's dualing guitars kick while Spencer howls his guts out, guiding the album from loose '70s funk on "Afro" to tight groove on "Soul Typecast." Turn it up and rock out.

Erik Gunther