This summer concert season in Maine is be a good one. For example there's a pretty impressive three-band bill at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland on Wednesday with Hinder opening for Staind opening for headliners Three Doors Down.

Hinder has a new CD coming out this fall, but they are touring in support of their "Extreme Behavior" album that came out last year. Universal/Republic Records (also the home of Three Doors Down) recently re-released that CD with a bonus DVD included titled "You Can't Make This Sh*t Up" that features a full, headlining concert, music videos (including their hit "Lips of an Angel" and a pretty good cover of "Born to be Wild") and some impromptu interviews.

This is a decidedly R-rated DVD and the CD also wears a "Parental Advisory -- Explicit Content" stamp for language. I have a problem with Hinder. Language like that is really not needed. They rock hard and have a great lead vocalist, but as Three Doors Down proves on their brand new, self-titled CD, you don't need to be vulgar to make good rock these days.

Three Doors Down presents 12 tracks that have power, great harmonies, strong lyrics and excellent musicianship -- and no "PA-EC" labeling is required. In my book, that's the sign of a class act. Needless to say, I'll be playing this fine new CD with for weeks and months ahead, as I will the latest from the Winterpills, "The Light Divides" that came out in 2007.

This folk-pop-rock quartet from Massachusetts creates music that is low-key, soft and luxurious; fronted by co-lead vocalists Philip Price (songwriter, guitars, keyboards) and Flora Reed (keyboards and tambourine) with drummer Dave Hower and electric guitarist-backing vocalist Dennis Crommett.

This band will be returning to the SPACE Gallery tonight (visit www.space538.org) and is one of my all-time favorites due to their close boy-and-girl harmonies and strong songwriting. This would be a great night for a road trip down to Portland, for sure.