Tinker's Punishment

Though not looking the part, with Marc Bolan-inspired vocal histrionics, Mick Ronson Spiders From Mars-era guitar solos and a gift for Queen-sized drama, one might peg Denver-based Tinker's Punishment a revisionist act. (None of the four bandmembers, or their rabid fans, are old enough to know who any of those players are.) With affected delivery, the first half of Zero Summer packs some huge hooks in the grand tradition of classic '70s glam. By the midpoint of the disc, the band gradually downshifts, showing its diversity -- however derivative -- by mixing in a little old-school pre-digitalized Radiohead melancholy for good measure. A bit recycled, but it rocks all the same.