By 1986, the original lineup of
the U.K. Subs had dissipated, leaving frontman Charlie Harper to make do with an assemblage of sidemen. The result was Huntington Beach, a sorely disappointing release from a once promising band. Not only does the band lack the character of former
Subs musicians Nick Garrett and Alvin Gibbs, but Harper has apparently lost the skill to write interesting lyrics. Most of them here center on generic teenage angst, or seem to have very little meaning at all. Furthermore, in a misguided attempt to cash in on the popularity of skatepunk bands like
Bad Religion, the Subs crank out thrash music that is loud, blaring, and dull. Only "Huntington," a funny country track about skateboarding, retains the mixture of humor and bite that characterized the old, classic
Subs sound. Newcomers are advised to start with one of the early albums instead. ~ Victor W. Valdivia