Fresh out of the clink, pop punk’s saving grace are finally back with a new record. The Masked Intruder, who turned in one of the genre’s most satisfying records in years with their 2012 debut, has managed to top that effort with M.I. A baker’s dozen of three-minute sing-alongs that are tighter than a set of police-issued handcuffs wrapped around your wrists.
The topics are more of the same, crime sprees (there’s even a song called “Crime Spree,” naturally) and unrequited love. The identities of the band members are hidden behind knit facemasks (a U.S. Pussy Riot!) and they are referred to simply as Intruder Blue, Intruder Green, Intruder Yellow and Intruder Red, but the music is so damn good they don’t even need the gimmick to be able stand out from an overwhelming number of lesser pop punk bands. They don’t need the getup, but you have to admit, the joke is still pretty damn funny.
Masked Intruder – M.I./13 tracks/Fat Wreck Chords/2014
Masked Intruder – M.I. (CD)