When teen rockers the Black Diamonds dropped their singer earlier this year and became a power trio, the future looked a little dim. Good news: The ex-Diamonds are brighter than ever as the Suede Brothers. Their phenomenal debut is pure spirit-of-'76 classic rock, produced by vet Paul Hamann (who helped the James Gang polish their chops). The album has plenty of authentic Zeppelin-Gang moments. Mostly, however, it has songs, and the songs have moments. Guitarist Dylan Francis sings like he plays, his vocals echoing the slashing, screaming riffs — which span southern-rawk acrobatics to cocksure Beantown shuffles. Whatever Francis is feeling, it's right.
