Under The Neon Heat
Primal Beat, 2021
10/10
The Southern California supergroup Greg Antista And The Lonely Streets (ex-T.S.O.L., Manic Hispanic, Joyride and Mink Daggers, to name a few) return with a sophomore album and new member Frank Agnew, who brings his impressive guitar skills to a veteran effort where Americana, pop-punk and even modern rock aren’t far from their timeless formula.
“Down On The Commonwealth” starts the listen with the quartet’s punk rock roots intact as a mature delivery of hooky guitars and fiery drumming complement the melodic singing from Antista, and “Feel Alright” continues the strong song craft with soaring vocals amid a punchy rock’n’roll spirit that seems like it should be played loudly near a beach.
Further along, “Rosalita” is precisely charged with firm, dynamic instrumentation but tuneful in a way that will get you singing along immediately, while “One More Mistake” brings some power-pop ideas to a sugary sweet landscape that you can’t help but be smitten with.
On the back half of the record, “Unfinished Business” brings acoustic guitar to the intimate climate, and the album highlight, “Halfway To Whole”, thumps with an anthemic quality as the 4 legends brings their respective talent to gritty yet harmonic landscape. “Carmelita” exits the listen armed with an accordion, where the band illustrate much diversity amid their Hispanic roots that has bassist and accordionist Warren Renfrow on vocals.
A very diverse listen that touches on surf-rock, rootsy ideas and, of course, plenty of time honored punk rock, Antista, Renfrow, Agnew and Jorge E. Disguster (drums, vocals) bring a wealth of experience and memorableness to one of the best records of 2021.
Travels well with: Professor And The Madman- Séance; Foxy- Can’t Stop Us/X-Ray Spex Tribute