Firehouse

Metal has evolved at such a drastic pace that this assiduously inoffensive prefab seems almost folkloric, a weird anachronism in which the great tradition of Jon Bon Jovi and Mark Slaughter--manly tenor, moderate tempos, technically unassailable riffs--is preserved for the dwindling faithful. They "Reach for the Sky," they "Hold That Dream," they "Rock You Tonight," and because their "Mama Didn't Raise No Fool," they describe the inevitable bone job as "Sleeping With You." Now isn't that sweet? (Grade: C-)