Strapped

The sound the Soft Pack forged on their self-titled debut album and in their work as the Muslims was so simple that it was inevitable that they'd branch out at some point. Strapped finds the band incorporating more elements -- particularly keyboards and saxophone -- into their music for a more polished and expansive sound. While the results are often nice, they're not always necessary; the contrast between Matt Lamkin's witty, somewhat insular thoughts and the band's spare, propulsive rock was a big part of their previous appeal. The sax adds some extra new wave sheen to "Second Look," and the band goes much farther afield on "Bobby Brown," where they dabble in sardonic synth pop that recalls the French Kicks' transformation from post-punkers to smooth pop purveyors. The Soft Pack are still at their best when they churn out surfy, surly musings backed by rapid-fire beats, as they do on "Saratoga," the 99-percent anthem "They Say," and the garage-psych of "Ray's Mistake" (complete with backwards guitar). ~ Heather Phares