Step Kings

Although they were delivering an infectious blend of metal, grooves, retro rock riffs and punk as early as 1997, the timing couldn't be better for the release of this New Jersey-based trio's debut full-length. Since Kid Rock already brought this sound to the mainstream, this disc should be huge. And that wouldn't be such a bad thing, since most of what's on here is head and shoulders above anything Kid Rock spits out. An unlikely and highly enjoyable highlight is a cover of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall."