Redd Kross - Show World [Mercury]

Kicking off with an exuberant version of the L.A. power-pop-classic-that-almost-wasn't "Pretty Please Me" -- and unsurprisingly Jeff, Roy and Steve McDonald and company this time around rock the bastard to the ground with a smile -- Show World is yet more fun from a band that dedicates itself to a smart good time. In ways, Redd Kross had by this time found history catching up to them -- any number of bands had stumbled across the loud and brash '70s pop/punk approach that was the group's raison d'être. But the fact that they hadn't gotten the attention they'd deserved for it didn't keep them from still going at it with gusto, bless their hearts. If songs like "You Lied Again" and "Vanity Mirror" didn't introduce any curveballs to the basic sound, they still sounded pretty damn fantastic, singalong energy overdriven up to ten and beyond. Slightly slower tracks like "Girl God," the mega-orchestrated ballad "Secret Life," and the handclap crazy "Follow the Leader" showcased the band's calmer side well enough -- again, no surprises, but none were expected or needed. Best song title of the bunch this time around: "One Chord Progression," which lives up to its name just so. "Teen Competition" lets the cock rock out with the best of them but doesn't forget the sugar on the chorus even as the distortion completely screws with the mix at one point, while "Get Out of Myself" has one brilliant moment of so much hyperflange that why speakers don't melt upon contact is a mystery. [This version of the CD has a bonus track.] ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide

Name Credits Brian Kehew Engineer, Arranger, String Arrangements Brian Reitzell Drums, Percussion Christopher Shaw Engineer, Producer, Mixing David Bedford A&R David Nottingham Engineer, Second Engineer Eddie Kurdziel Guitar Gere Fennelly Keyboards Jeff McDonald Guitar, Vocals John Ewing, Jr. Second Engineer John Silva Management Kenji Nakai Second Engineer, Engineer Marina Chavez Photography Nick DiDia Engineer Redd Kross Producer Steve McDonald Bass, Vocals Steve Rooke Mastering Tannis Root Design Vicki Berndt Photography