In Brief

** 1/2 BlackHawk, “BlackHawk,” Arista. If the group sounds familiar , it should: Lead singer Henry Paul also fronted Southern-rock band the Outlaws in the ‘70s. BlackHawk’s strength is its sweet high harmonies and tasteful mandolin and guitar work. Lyrics rise above average now and then, as in “Sure Can Smell the Rain,” a foreboding look at the beginning of the end of a love.

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).