I've always been surprised that Down By Law is a relatively obscure band. I mean, Dave Smalley (who has throttled his throat muscles for such underground legends as Dag Nasty and All) fronts the band, they consistently put out quality records, and they're backed by one of the most reputable independent labels operating. With each successive release, I've felt certain that widespread notoriety and appreciation were imminent, culminating with 1996's All Scratched Up. In my opinion, the latter was and remains the band's strongest effort to date. To a large extent, it's the high level of expectation created by this past release that makes Last of the Sharpshooters a moderate disappointment.

The album starts off strong enough. "USA Today" presents a sobering look at the state of our nation, complete with the band imitating a warning siren at the song's end. "No Equalizer" comments on the dangers of a utopian world, and "Call to Arms" chastises the naive thrift- shopping boy who is quick to call Smalley a sell- out. Here, the disjointed "Guns of '96" breaks the positive pattern until "Burning Heart," the strongest track on the album, puts things back on track. "Question Marks and Periods" showcases Smalley's love for Elvis Costello, a sign of a maturing songwriter, though we know maturation is not always the most gratifying process.

The greatest achievement of this record is lyrical as opposed to musical. The band grapples with some heady issues; from the ongoing turmoil in Northern Ireland and the dehumanizing effect of the "concrete jungle," to the possible inevitability of compromising youthful ideals and the plight of the working man. Nonetheless, I want my sonic fix to have it all, and the music on Last of the Sharpshooters misses the mark a few too many times.

-Kevin Ruggeri