Somewhere in This Town

What makes Seks Bomba's "surf-spy-lounge rock" different than, say, their fellow New Englanders Combustible Edison? Mostly that the music is less swimming in irony, tries less for the whole retro-kitsch thing, and rocks considerably harder. (Dig the opening rave-up "Bomba Au Go-Go" for proof.) Even the swankiest pieces on their second album, like the Brazilian-touched "Matt's Bossa," swing, thanks in large part to Lori Perkins' Walter Wanderley-like Hammond organ. Her flute parts add another authentic touch to the proceedings. The trio of covers, Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Agua de Beber," Bacharach/David's "Casino Royale," and Henry Mancini's "Charade," show where the group's influences lay. Guitarist Chris Cote's Willie Alexander-meets-Brian Seltzer voice moves the small handful of vocal tracks, especially "Happy Hour," a little too far into Cherry Poppin' Daddies territory, but on the instrumentals, Somewhere in This Town is a dynamite blast of party rock fun.