Year in Rock 2013 Nominee: The Black Angels

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THE BLACK ANGELS
Don't Play With Guns
From: Indigo Meadow
Released: April 2

To say The Black Angels' first three albums can be classified under "stoner music" is kind of like saying salt is kind of an okay seasoning. The haze hasn't dissipated on album number four, but it's lifted ever so slightly, letting in a few rays of sunshine. It's still psychedelic, but at least they're aren't any Vietnam war references this time out; in fact, as lead single Don't Play With Guns illustrates, they've developed a bit of a penchant for uncovering the cosmetics of the "hippie" period and finding the timelessness in it.

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