These four Portland yoot channel the obstreperous Buzzcocks/Green Day branch of power pop. Ray Nelsen sings lead on most songs with an appropriately snotty tone that will please Sex Pistoleros. The rhythm section of drummer Maus Mersky and bassist Dave Berkham emerge periodically as star players and guitarist Brian Crace possesses crazy dynamics and invention with traces of rockabilly, anthem, and acid. “Modern Cinderella” sucks you in with a great hook, chiming chords and cheeky backing vocals that veer abruptly into sweet Beach Boys doowops. “Waiting Around” sounds like the prom band that only exists in your memory, starting as a ballad and breaking into a gallop. Nelsen’s voice drips attitude. Mersky’s rolling surf drums open “Sleeping Alone,” killer lyrics, killer hook, and dig Berkham’s lyrical bass. Crase, who sings lead, plays mammoth guitar and against soaring backing vocals. Crace rules “Forget It” with his phosphorescent solo. “I Wanna Know” is one more killer hook-filled cry du coeur with an irresistible shifting rhythm that lets Crace roam. “I wanna smash in his face girl, I wanna smash in his face But I know if I do that again you’ll never come back…” Nelsen croons with lust and rage. “Wouldn’t Last,” consciously or not, is a mash-up of “Jet” and “Be True To Your School,” touching two of Cry’s polestars. “Such a Bore” could become a generational anthem like “Summertime Blues.” The Cry have the songs, the chops and the attitude. I could go on but I’d rather listen to the record. FOUR STARS Mike Barron, Pop Geek Heavan/Dec. 2011 Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.