The Briefs are intent on re-creating the shout-along choruses of earlier British punk bands like the Damned and the Sex Pistols, but with far more hooks in the vein of a tamer Dropkick Murphys. The quartet is very tight, having perfected the two-minute three-chord gems that sound like a band on the cusp of something grand. “Halfsize Girl” is a tad more angst-ridden, although the sneers and snarls are still audible. Another mini-rant, “Destroy the USA,” is a brief rave-up backed by a ragged garage band sound. The group should never tone things down, as the paltry and radio-friendly approach to “Ephedrine Blue” falls flat quickly. “So Stupid” walks the line between the last track and the earlier efforts with better than expected results — a suffocating rhythm section as the listener is given a toe-tapping, fist-pumping foundation. The title song stands head and shoulders above the rest, with infectious riffs and a fine punk build to the chorus. “Killed By Ants” recalls Fastball with a Southern swagger, although guitarists Daniel J. Travanti and Steve E. Nix complement each other nicely on the bridge and solos. The fun-loving energy is palpable on the gorgeous yet somewhat light “Shoplifting at Macy’s.” The faux Brit aping on “Sally I Can’t Go to the Beach” does not work, although there seem to be redeeming qualities in the chorus that are never fully realized. “Vitamin Bomb” is a slight improvement, although it comes off like a one-shot demo. – Jason MacNeil
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