Whitesnake wouldn't be Whitesnake if its lineup wasn't evolving and David Coverdale didn't howl about love. Both bases are covered on new album "Good to Be Bad." All that's left is to crank up the volume and nod your head to the bluesy Friday-night rock Coverdale is now perpetuating with ace musicians Doug Aldrich, Reb Beach, Timothy Drury, Uriah Duffy and Chris Frazier. Whitesnake sheds the skin of thick production for first single "Lay Down Your Love," letting guitars squeal with gritty tone instead of pumping the distortion. "Feels so good since I found you/You're my one and only dream come true," Coverdale sings, again giving men license to croon about their ladies to a masculine track. Whitesnake's style has matured without sounding like it's aged—high praise for a band that's turning the big 3-0. —Christa L. Titus