[4/5] Ironically, though its title is inspired by one of George W. Bush's famously discombobulated speeches, Against All Authority's fourth proper album is among the band's most musically focused yet. The gutter-punk sloppiness of past outings has been replaced by a razor-sharp guitar attack that rivals classic Minor Threat and latter-day Rancid. And forget past ska-punk dalliances: This time, AAA are almost solely fixated on old-school hardcore. While drummer Macbeth Proenza motors along like he's being paid for every snare hit, singer/bassist Danny Lore spits and snarls like Justin Sane channeling Wattie from the Exploited. Proving the quartet are interested in more than just raging against the war machine, "All Ages Show Tonight" is a strangely touching ode to love between two crusties, and "Grinding My Life Away" updates blood-slurping horror-punk for those who missed the Misfits. Still, AAA are at their best when they're publicly calling out America's president--and while cynics will argue that such tirades have been old hat since Ronald Reagan's reign, it's been almost as long since those sentiments have felt so topically relevant.
(HOPELESS) Mike Usinger
 Official Website: http://www.hopelessrecords.com
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