I came into “Torch,” the new CD by Devon Allman’s band Honeytribe, expecting it to sound like a CD by Gregg Allman’s son. I was pleasantly surprised. “Torch” sounds nothing like the son trying to relive the Allman Brothers glory. It is entirely its own, an odd, occasionally successful mix of blues and modern rock.

Honeytribe is primarily the work of Devon Allman, who is indeed Gregg Allman’s son. The band formed in 1999 and began touring, but went on an extended hiatus in 2001. Honeytribe reformed in 2005 and released their first CD “Torch” in August 2006. This Sunday, Sept. 23, they will be playing live at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville.

Devon Allman is a fantastic guitarist. The second song on the CD, “Mahalo,” starts slow, spending the first two minutes in a jazzy riff before breaking into a huge solo. It’s in moments like this that “Torch” really shines. There is nothing on this CD on par with “Jessica” or most of the Allman Brothers’ guitar work, but that comparison is as unfair as it is unavoidable. Devon is an exciting soloist and comes up with a number of interesting riffs. His guitar is easily “Torch”’s strongest point.

After “Mahalo,” “Torch” begins its unfortunate demise, especially when Honeytribe decides to cover Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry.” The band handles the music well enough, but Allman’s vocals are overwrought and pretentious. He sounds surprisingly little like his father. His voice is more similar to Lenny Kravitz or Nickelback.

Songwriting is a big issue for Honeytribe. Lyrically, they sound like a cross between John Mayer, John Lennon and a 13-year-old girl. One of my favorites is from “Perfect World”: “You know you gotta try baby/ To keep your love alive/ ‘Cause love is all you need/ Yeah!” After song four or five, the lyrics all start to sound like that.

The second half of the CD features a number of virtually indistinguishable songs. Honeytribe throws in a brief jam near the end, “511 Texas Avenue,” which is quieter and weirder than “Mahalo.” It does not work too well, but by the end of the CD, some variety is welcome.

The strength of “Torch” is in the guitars, not the lyrics or the vocals. And at a live performance, the guitar work will easily be the most obvious and important part. Judging by “Torch,” Devon Allman should be a fascinating live guitarist.

So if you have nothing else to do Sunday, and you like listening to great guitar work, go check out Honeytribe. Just ignore the vocals.