Saying “one of our finest purveyors of poppy punk tunes is back” doesn’t make sense, because Mikey probably played your town a half-dozen times in any of umpteen bands in the year before the pandemic happened. When I say that he’s back, what I mean is that he’s back on top of the heap with this album—but that implies that he somehow left the top of the heap, which, again, is not true. How about this: Mikey Erg delivers ten courses of hooks, earworms, and energy. “Rubin Hall” and “Denny Songs” evoke the best yearnful vocal stylings of Dorkrockcorkrod, and the leads on “Rumble Strip” are downright Schroeck-y. (Jeff, you owe me five bucks.) Chris Pierce from Doc Hopper helms the board and plays drums on this one, so it’s no surprise to find occasional penguinisms throughout. One of the zillion reasons to look forward to live shows starting up again. –Michael T. Fournier (Rad Girlfriend, redgirlfriendrecords.bandcamp.com)