4 out of 5

Label: Nitro

Produced by: Warren Fitzgerald 

While there isn’t much analysis to make of The Vandals’ reliable yuk-fueled punk anthems, that’s fine: It’s really never been the point.  Hitler Bad, Vandals Good might be the group’s shiniest record to date, with nil hints of seriousness and a slick Jerry Finn mix, but that’s not a knock against one of the most skillful batch of consistently catchy tunes and one of the sharpest set of pop punk musicians around.  Such is Vandals’ inherent energy, that, while I don’t find myself overcome with a need to listen to odes to mullets or working at the mall, once ye ole play button is hit, I’m all in, start to finish.

The genres repurposed here are impressive, not only in breadth but also just because how good these guys are at smashing together their cowpunk, and Broadway covers, and vocal harmonies and whatnot, with vocalist Dave Quackenbush right on top of things with a deft balance of dumb and quirky humor.

Again: sure, not deep, and inevitably runs into some repetition (eeevery punk album does), but a classic display of chops and a classic addition to their catalogue.