Dynamite Boy

Dynamite Boy's fourth full-length and third for Fearless/BMG is another capable, fresh-faced missive from the Austin-based group, who've proven pretty adept at tagging their own name on the walls inside the mold. "Suspended Animation" and "Promise" are tightly wound pop-punk tops cut from the usual cloths — propulsive drumming, chunky distortion breaks, and broad-based lyrics about surviving life's little turns toward the crazy ("We'll never be severed by the ones who make you feel like/You don't belong," front guy Sean sings in the latter). There are strains of Jimmy Eat World in here, A New Found Glory too, and a bit of Bad Religion's flair for vocal harmonies (check the chorus of "Man of the Year") without the penchant for social cynicism. No, Dynamite Boy is straightforward music for the kids, with some ambitious forays into middle tempos. Piano and power pop tinge "Photograph," while "Waiting for Erin" is a surging anthem with guest vocals from Cruiserweight's Stella Maxwell. Though Dynamite Boy seems to tire a bit down the stretch, it recovers for the strong closer "Long Since Forgotten." Maxwell's guest vocals again mesh wonderfully with Sean's earnest lead, and the song's Jawbreaker changes tingle with energy. A fine effort.