THE SOFT PACK - S/T
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 04:00PM
soundscapes in Pop/Rock, Psych/Garage, Punk

In the space of thirty-two minutes, The Soft Pack's debut album never lets up with its ten turbo-charged tracks. This San Diego-based quartet was formerly known as The Muslims, a name that failed to catch on in the current American political climate. Following the release of a few singles, The Soft Pack continues to offer up a stripped-down, souped-up take on '60s garage and '70s punk/new wave. Along the way, they throw in some surf-guitar licks, and their songs also betray the influence of '80s college rock bands like The Feelies.

The Soft Pack are more than just the sum of their parts, though, for their material is replete with insanely catchy riffs, with lead singer Mark Lamkin's deadpan yet heartfelt vocals expressing cynical disaffection. Once you listen to tracks such as the brazen and anguished "Answer To Yourself", the jangly and melodic "More Or Less", and the relentless "Pull Out", it's a sure thing you'll be hooked to The Soft Pack's hard-driving snot-punk anthems.

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