Revenge Is Sweet and So Are You

The grand old men of Berkeley's pop-punk scene-these are the guys Green Day looked up to, kids-the Mr. T Experience ("MTX Starship" to fans) sounds as vital as ever on its ninth(!) album, another solid collection of 16 ultra-hummable, ultra-moshable, mostly-under-three-minute anthems. "Swiss-Army Girlfriend" is a memorable ode to a pocket knife; "Lawnmower of Love" proves that there are still creative metaphors to be had for doomed relationships; and "Hell of Dumb" introduces a neat country influence via some slide guitar. But the opening "Here She Comes" probably best sums up the Mr. T sound. --Jim Derogatis