Despite witnessing a live festival appearance in ’08, haven’t really kept up with the So-Cal bluesy hard rockers since the tragic fire, dissolution and ultimate reunion. This is their second release since getting back together, eleven originals and the concluding, piano accompanied cover of The Stones ‘Let’s Spend the Night Together’, inhabiting a slower, almost countrified approach (‘Last Chance’). ‘Situation’ opens with the strum of acoustic guitar, before adding a little slide and the nasal twang of Jack Russell. Throughout, the singer gets plenty of help from multiple backing tracks. Relationship based lyrics are once more the norm. Although raucous guitar begins ‘Shine’, most of the tune is mid-tempo and orchestrated, while ‘Loveless’ sounds like a catchy outtake crossed between Steely Dan and ELO. Sadly, never really let Mark Kendall rip start-to-finish, ‘In The Danger Zone’ as close as it gets (hampered by quirky late 70s post-punk/new wave keyboard). ‘Down On The Level’ contains a smattering of brass horns (think Aerosmith’s ‘Mama Kin’), while ‘My Sanctuary’ is a legit blues number, complete with harmonica accents.

Overall, a bit too restrained for these ears.