SNATCHES OF PINK - Hyena (MoRisen records, 1409 East Blvd. Suite 116, Charlotte, NC 28203) Playing rock n' roll that transcends labels and inclusion in some type of sub-genre is growing increasingly difficult, unless you are Snatches of Pink. Taking the best elements of Exile On Main St., Tim and Raw Power, Hyena is a rock purist's dream. Blending thick, swaggering riffs with gripping lyrics, Snatches strut and snarl through a brilliant record. The gritty "Decline" sets the tone, but the record hits its apex with the energized 1-2 punch of "Otto Wood" and "Come to This", two songs that unabashedly kneel at the altar of punk rock while still being melodic as hell. This is a delicate balancing act, and the guys show this off again on "Reptile". I have to respect this band, for they know they have a great sound but refuse to be a one trick pony as evidenced by "Acetate" and "The Last Invention". Upon first listen, these tracks may seem out of place, but they are a great change of pace before the guys launch into rougher guitar dirges such as "Terminal". To close the record, the Snatches pay tribute to a legend with their version of Bowie's gem, "Moonage Daydream". Go get this.