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Dance Hall Crashers

Honey I’m Homely (510/MCA) (star) (star) (star)

Although too many insubstantial new bands are hopping on the ska-punk bandwagon, it’s a pleasure to hear from this Bay Area quintet on their fourth release since 1990. The buzzsaw guitar riffs and shifty rhythms are energetic, but what sets the Dance Hall Crashers apart are the jubilant voices of Elyse Rogers and Karina Denike. The pair recalls early ’60s girl groups by way of Blondie with their mix of sugar and spunk, particularly on the “Leader of the Pack”-style harmonies of “Last Laugh.” Their assertive singing helps drive the momentum of straightforward punk-pop tunes like “Mr. Blue,” and they’re even better on mid-tempo ska numbers like “All Mine.”