Local rock band Hightide Blues has been a staple on the Auburn music scene for a while now and are sure to pick up more speed with their latest EP. The band’s last recording showed a more laid back side of the band, but their new EP, “Love Come Easy,” has some high energy tracks that positively smoke.

“Katie Can You Hear Me” is a loud, rockin’ song in the style of Widespread Panic with a strong groove and bluesy lead guitar.  The most noticeable difference with this album is the use of keys to add more depth to the tracks. The song “Dancing With the Angels” is such a song, with warm acoustic guitar, clean piano and an almost Cat Stevens meets Goo Goo Dolls delivery. “Let it Roll” is a soulful, gospel-tinged number that is quite infectious. The organ lines keep it in a jam-band feel, but the arrangement itself is almost reminiscent of Ray Charles.

Hightide Blues covers a wide spectrum of feelings and textures, switching from rock and soul to gentle ballads. “Love Come Easy” has captured the group’s evolution from playing crowd-pleasing covers to writing more of their own songs, and they have done it well.

With strong vocals, good grooves and lots of soul, “Love Come Easy” could be a great success. The EP will be released later this month. The guys said to look for them to perform in Auburn soon. For more information on the band, visit their MySpace page at myspace.com/hightideblues.