For over ten years, Illinois native Joe Demagore and his ROSETTA WEST band have created a steadfast, bantam following thanks to quality releases like 1997's "Crusade" and 2005's "Illumination". Seemingly impervious to the strains and hassles of technology and musical fads, 2008 finds the band's robust, down-to-earth garage blues in fine form.

Stylistically speaking, "Anymore" flows like a classic NEIL YOUNG album. Short, glimmering blues nuggets sparkle with hooks, whether delivered as the raw, electric melodrama of "Ruby", the driving bassline and vocal soul of "Found Myself Dead" or the striking Page-like acoustic ballad "Darlene". Drummer Nathan Scratch provides enough minimal percussion to reinforce the clungier numbers without overshadowing the proceedings. "Anymore" could serve as the perfect foil for music fans seeking free and unpretentious talent in this age of the overproduced, overpromoted faux rock 'n roll. Highly recommended. The CD-R is available for just $5 via the band's Myspace page below, so get on it.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/rosettawest

RELATED ITEMS: ROSETTA WEST - "Illumination" review