Who says there’s no good, new rock music?

I often hear adults of my generation bemoaning the lack of quality, new rock music. Such is not the case. One must assume the role of musical prospector and dig deeper to find the good stuff.

Very Ape: Kosher Boogie, Alive Records

Don’t ask me the significance of the title. Maybe the band members are Jewish for all I know. Very Ape is a Swedish band that draws inspiration from seventies hard rock like Deep Purple and Humble Pie, mixing in garage punk influences as well. Don’t let the band’s scruffy demeanor turn you off; these guys write worthwhile songs and perform them with fire and passion. Visit alive-totalenergy.com.

The Rhinos: Year Of The Rhinos, Rainbow Quartz Records

I’m a big fan of Rainbow Quartz Records, a New York City-based label that specializes in sixties-inspired rock.

I like just about everything they release, in fact, including The Rhinos newest disc, a jangling, power pop effort, heavy on the Rickenbacker 12-string guitar and Beatle-like harmonies. The Byrds influence is apparent at every turn.

One track, “No Win Situation,” even reprises “Eight Miles High” right down to the guitar solo. Derivative? By all means, but The Rhinos revel in their musical heroes proudly.

“Year of The Rhinos” isn’t perfect. The drums are poorly recorded and woefully under mixed, and the band veers dangerously toward bubble gum sounds on occasion, but in the long run, The Rhinos pull it off, despite the flaws. Learn more about Rainbow Quartz at rainbowquartz.com.

Big Midnight: Everything For The First Time, Alive Records

After a few listenings to Big Midnight’s debut disc, I’ve come to the conclusion that rock ‘n roll might be in good hands with the twenty-something generation after all.

 Big Midnight is a raucous, loud, snotty garage band loaded with sixties and seventies attitude and a straightforward instrumental and vocal attack. They even manage to slow down the pace and incorporate female background vocals effectively. If you want some youthful high-energy rock, look no further than Big Midnight.

Los Lonely Boys: Los Lonely Boys, Or Music

I picked this disc up while on vacation in Massachusetts this summer, based upon an on-air radio interview I heard with Los Lonely Boys. I discovered that Willie Nelson had a hand in their career and that the hype surrounding their first CD was well founded.

Los Lonely Boys is three Tex-Mex/American brothers, Henry, JoJo and Ringo Garza, whose music is based upon influences as disparate as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Santana, with a dash of Richie Valens and downhome blues rounding things out.

I was amazed at the maturity exhibited by these young musicians, not only in terms of their stunning instrumental and vocals chops, but their songwriting as well. It’s rare to find a new band with such well-developed attributes, but Los Lonely Boys deliver. If you purchase only a few rock releases over the course of a year, Los Lonely Boys’ CD should be one of them. Learn more at ormusic.com or loslonelyboys.org.

Robbroy: Days Of Pride And Hunger, Pure Recordings

Now the scene shifts to Detroit for Robbroy’s first major release. Robbroy is a racially mixed four-piece band whose material is full of strong melodic hooks, sweet vocal harmonies and tough instrumental passages that rely on spare but powerful guitar chords backed by a punchy rhythm section.

In other words, it’s radio-friendly rock. No crime in that. Overall, Robbroy’s sound is seventies and eighties reminiscent, but they wisely avoid the musical excesses of the latter decade. If one had to compare Robbroy with another band, the logical choice might be Matchbox 20.

Not much more to say: Good tunes, solid playing and singing. Could you ask for more? It might take a few listenings to grow on you, but Robbroy’s new one is a keeper. Visit robbroy.com.