For All the Massive

The word on the street is that this, the Agents' second album, is a huge improvement over their first. Be that as it may, this one is fine, if not outstanding. The Agents, like many American ska bands, have a tendency to play too fast, though they resist that tendency admirably on some of this album's strongest tracks, including the very catchy "Gratidao" and the swing-inflected "Scully." They can play reggae better than many of their peers, and singer Jason DaLomba does a creditable job toasting on "Bridge to Nowhere." The lyrics are pretty consistently right on the line between acceptable and embarrassing, but that will probably change as the band matures. The horn section is first-rate. Fans of third-wave ska will be perfectly satisfied.