The Muslims

San Diego’s Soft Pack originally dubbed themselves The Muslims, but changed the name after becoming “exhausted” by the “ignorant ... things that came out of people’s mouths.” This record was the The Muslims’ debut, and still serves as an impressive introduction to the band of either name. Though it was branded an EP, it has ten songs and packs a wallop: the songs are tight, pummeling, guitar-and-drums creations that feed on the crumbs left behind by the Velvet Underground and the Modern Lovers.  This collection has the edge and energy of their great first single, “Parasites” (unfortunately not bundled here, but available on iTunes), and is imbued with more garage-flavored, vintage grit than the official Soft Pack debut, where the band takes on a slightly more pop tone. On both records, however, the band’s simple approach — marrying those clanging guitars and thunderous drums to the clear, boyish tones of singer Matt Lamkin — clearly gets the job done, and then some. This is just great rock music, by any name.