The (International) Noise Conspiracy: The Cross Of My Calling

What could be more shocking from a once-radical

group of Marxist punks than an album of bubblegum rock Under the slick

production eye of Rick Rubin, The (International) Noise Conspiracy—a band

that once wrote songs with titles like "Capitalism Stole My Virginity" and "Abolish

Work"—is now singing of optimism, relationships, and Beverly Hills. The Cross Of My Calling lacks the '60s- and

'70s-inspired garage and soul influences—not to mention the DIY

feel—that made its early albums engaging, which means that it's best to

approach it like a late-'70s Kinks disc: Forget what the band has done in the

past, and focus on the product at hand. Sure, "Boredom Of Safety" sounds a bit

like an '80s power ballad, but it's also passionate, bittersweet, and catchy.

And "Hiroshima Mon Amour" is so laughably, blatantly radio-friendly that it's

an easy guilty pleasure. There are unexpected gems hidden here.