Redd Kross "Beyond The Door" (2019) ***1/2

I forget why I bought it (in 1995 or '96, I think), but a promotional copy of Phaseshifter (1993)—still a favorite of mine—was my introduction to Redd Kross. I still have yet to hear their comeback album, 2012's Researching The Blues, which reunited the Neurotica (1987) lineup, because until earlier this year—I'm ashamed to say—I wasn't familiar with that latter album or Born Innocent (1982) or Third Eye (1990) (which I'm now in love with). But I did have another RK LP, Show World (1997) (on cassette!), along with the soundtrack to Desperate Teenage Lovedolls (1984) (re-released on CD in 1997). So I was about half familiar with RK.

Their newest album, Beyond The Door (2019), continues their tradition of blending 70s glam/rock with punk and bubblegum pop to serve up a fresh plate of tasty tunes. They don't mess with their formula or add too much studio trickery, choosing instead to rip through the tracks with ease. BTD is rock solid, concise (11 songs, 33 mins), and most importantly, fun! As a bonus, Dale Crover of the Melvins is now the full-time drummer, adding a precision to the songs, without ever reinventing the band's style, which has always heavily relied on the McDonald brothers's (Jeff and Steve, also the current bassist for the Melvins) guitar and bass attack.

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