Haywire

The late, lamented Dharma Bums continually and consistently played the best live shows in Portland, OR. Although their excellence on stage translated unevenly to the studio, all three albums are fine examples of power pop with a strong component of booty-shakin'ness. Haywire, the Bums' debut, is filled with catchy hooks and simple, sincere lyrics. The album is garnished with a slight country twang that rears its earthy head every now and then. A scant few songs on Haywire are stinkers, but most are quite satisfying: honest lyrics featuring a nice emotional innocence, and fine tunes for leaping about. Haywire is a joyous piece of music, anti-cynical and refreshing in both the effort and the outcome.