The Rose of Aces seems to splice at least two titles from the extended Grateful Dead Universe -- there's Bob Weir's solo album Ace and the Dead's standard "Ramble On Rose," not to mention the Skull and Roses album -- so, once again, Cordovas fly their freak flag proudly. What separates Cordovas from the legions of Dead-inspired bands in the 21st century is that they seem intent on replicating the ramshackle charms of American Beauty, adding just a touch of the Band to keep things relatively streamlined. There are hints of other longhaired roots rockers scattered throughout The Rose of Aces -- "Sunshine" and "Stone Called Stoned" generate a bit of the sunny Texas groove of Doug Sahm, the Latin rhythms of the closing "Somos Iguales" are firmly within Santana's wheelhouse -- yet the rambling rhythms and percolating guitar keep deliberately recalling the Dead in a pleasing fashion. As on Destiny Hotel, the group directs the listener's attention squarely upon the song, keeping melodies and harmonies at the forefront, a trick that keeps this shaggy album lucid: Cordovas may be hippies but they're too enamored with tunes to drift too far into the slipstream.