Al Rise (reissue)

Something happened during the two-year time span between Naked Raygun's first album and the follow-up, All Rise. Rather than having more of the offbeat, absurd song formality that gave their debut, Throb Throb, its edge, this album has more of a structured quality. Not to say that Naked Raygun has lost their touch; by progressing into a more (dare it be said) mature sound, they have remained one step ahead of all the Raygun clones emerging from their hometown of Chicago. The results are pretty decent; with songs like "Home of the Brave," "Knock Me Down," and "I Remember," their Buzzcocks roots are more apparent, while "New Dreams" kicks it into overdrive with a more positive aspect and "I Got New Dreams and I'm Going to Make Them Real" displays vocalist Jeff Pezzati. Sometimes change can be for the better. - All Music Guide