From the opening staccato chords of
Jagged Thoughts, one gets the sense that this is a giant step forward for these Berkeley punks. The one-two-three-four punk of their self-titled debut and the urgent feel of the songs on
Rogue's March are still present, but they are subverted to the substantial expansion of the band's sound. Reggae and Latin-influenced rhythms mix with Clash-style anthems, raucous punk, and choruses that sounds a mile wide to form a picture of a band hitting their stride. What's more, the crisp production of Kevin Army (Green Day, Mr. T Experience) brings the gravely voices of
American Steel's two singers more to the forefront than their previous releases. All of these elements serve as the backbone behind the band's knack for writing lyrics that are wistful and hopeful at the same time. A strong, strong record reflecting tremendous growth. ~ Kevin S. Hoskins