The members of Radio 4 miss the Clash, but they are doing something about it, and they’ve added a nice dose of nostalgic ’80s rock to the mix to make things even more appealing. Featuring former members of Long Island stalwarts Garden Variety and Sleepasaurus, The New Song and Dance is a rock record with punk roots, and with a bit of a slowed-down pace compared to the member’s old projects, the extra space allows for some noticeably more melodic moments and fittingly complicated songwriting. Tracks like “(No More Room For) Communication” and “Beat Around the Bush” take memorable grooves and fine lyrical work and form rhythm-based tracks that are equally enjoyable no matter what aspect listeners are paying attention to. There are bits of keyboard and some creative extra percussion work that elevate a number of the tracks from straightforward to downright impressive. The music definitely takes a great deal from old influences, but the style allows for it, and the powerful vocals of Anthony Roman give an extra bit of immediacy to the 11-song disc. Radio 4 really have a unique sound for their time, and even if it is culled from another era, The New Song and Dance sounds up-to-date and forward-thinking at all times. – Peter J. D’Angelo