Mike Ness is a frustratingly uneven songwriter. He's blessed with a convincing, unflinching feel for the heightened anxiety and rage of troubled youth, but through three albums now he has frequently settled for overly familiar images in expressing those explosive attitudes.
The good news in this tenacious band's major-label debut: The balance is leaning more toward insight than cliches and--thanks to the perspective that has comes from Ness' distancing his worst demons--the songs reflect growing sensitivity and compassion.
