The Roman Line

If you're a fan of the credibility-driven pop punk renaissance that's happening South of the border these days (think the Copyrights, Banner Pilot and the Menzingers), but you also think Steve Earle is badass, you're going to be really, really down with Morning Portraits. Packaging big, catchy melodies in a minimal, Screeching Weasel-worshiping package, the Roman Line succeed in crafting great songs that work perfectly within the best conventions of punk rock. There are gang vocals, walking bass lines, "one, two, three, four" count-offs and more gang vocals, all enhancing a collection of songs that owe as much to Hank Williams as Joe Queer. A just rock'n'roll universe would hold this up as an example of pop songs done right.