Teenanger

Teenanger's vocals are snarled with such snot-nosed, angst-ridden nonchalance that comparisons to some of punk's early conspirators are inevitable, but the songs on Frights are laced with a subtle proficiency that belies such obvious points of reference. Never calculated, but slickly written, each track slides along a remarkably strong backbone. The bass guitar ― punk's unsung and often unused soldier ― gives Frights its edge, rolling on from the opening minutes of "Cheap Thrills" right to the sleazy stomp of "Bank Account." Frights might not be the fastest punk album released this year, but it makes a case for being the loudest. Each instrument sounds almost like it's fighting the other, wrestling back and fourth in stereo with an almost deafening intensity. Concisely written and recorded, clocking in at a crisp 22 minutes, Frights doesn't overstay its welcome, but it's good enough that you'll almost wish it did.