Butchies

With more brains and balls than most of the lame mall-girl-punk that's out there today, this Durham, NC, act pulls off their third album with a swift, raw punch. If a trio of dykes tackling serious subjects with warbly vocal harmonies sounds familiar, think Sleater-Kinney, Washington's flagship rrriot revivalists. Actually, it's hard not to think Sleater-Kinney while listening to this melodic punk disc, and it's no surprise that the two bands toured together last year. Sure it's derivative, but the Butchies balance adrenal punk energy with cool pop and classic rock like real pros.