The Go

Whether you grew up in the early '70s or just worship the days of Watergate, angel dust and white flight, the Go is your Camaro ride into the past. Pop in the album. Close your eyes. Once again, Gerald Ford is at the helm of the troubled U.S.S. America. Gas prices are soaring, and Foghat is at the height of its powers. Out of this stew, this Motor City quartet creates a masterful retro (capital R) Rock album that threatens to leave fellow Detroit nostalgics the White Stripes in its wake. (Jack White was once a member of this band, and all indications are that it's better off without him.) If it were still 1975, the supercatchy Bowie-meets-Iggy glam rocker "American Pig" would be the number one song, and the groovy "Games" would be number two. The sound -- T. Rex swagger ("It Ain't That Bad"), Blue Cheer garage ("Capricorn"), mild psychedelia ("Hardened Heart Blues"), Stooges-style proto-punk ("Growed Up Fast") -- is that authentic. Meanwhile, "I Got It" is an anthemic recipe for blown speakers, shattered eardrums and -- if your landlord lives below you -- a broken lease. Lyrically, the Go sticks to the simple life -- cruising chicks, picking up chicks, avoiding chicks' dads. And the celebration of music's redemptive powers in "You Can Rock & Roll" would be instructive even to Jack Black. Class dismissed.