**

THE ROCKFORDS

(Epic)

If you thought that Seattle's once-touted music scene was now reduced to multi-platinum acts and poignant legends, and that musicians there don't just hang out and make music anymore, then take a quick listen to the Rockfords' debut. Headed by ex-Hammerbox/Goodness singer Carrie Akre and Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, this is a "hey let's make a record" record notched up by the prowess of these seasoned musicians. With the exception of Heart's Nancy Wilson, who co-wrote and sings the haunting epic "Riverwide," the Rockfords have known one another since they were in their teens, and they exude an obvious bond. The urgent and insistent "This Life" finds Goodness's Danny Newcomb and McCready pulling out an updated twin-guitar attack; another crash-and-burn moment, "Sure Shot," has Akre, who does some of her best singing here, totally in synch with the momentum of the song. Elsewhere, though, we get tepid, emotional flag wavers like "Flashes." Although this is McCready's most cohesive side project since Mad Season, The Rockfords doesn't amount to much more than a quick nod and a smile from the Pearl Jam guitarist and some of his old friends.

-- Linda Laban