Red Scare is surprising the music world with some of their newfound sounds these days. No longer is the label sticking to the pop-punk formula that launched its early library: Vultures United brought us vicious hardcore from SoCal, and now the Mezingers bring Brendan Kelly-style songwriting with major radio appeal. Don’t take that as a bad thing, either. For, you see, this album sounds like what I wished Rancid had sounded like when I first borrowed a CD back in the ‘90s. I heard a few glowing reviews, my mind put together an idea of what the band would sound like, and then I was disappointed when the sounds failed to be what I had dreamed up. Now my brain can rest at ease because that envisioned album is now here in my headphones. The Mezingers bring heartfelt lyrics and pop formulas to the bedrooms and bars everywhere. Mark my words, these guys are gonna get better and better. Keep your eyes peeled.

(Red Scare Industries, no address provided)