Calvin Krime's band name signals tongue- in- cheek right off the bat. It doesn't, however, hint at the punji stake attack of the band's sound. While not as overly aggressive as a stereotypical AmRep band, Calvin Krime can still put a cat on a ceiling with their screamy Jesus Lizard- esque tunes.

Occasionally, this Minneapolis- based trio comes off as a baby Brainiac, mixing lo-fi electronics and samples with sharp, angular guitar. But a large part of Calvin Krime's appeal stems from the ridiculously cheap- sounding electronics-- Casio synths and Texas Instruments- style bleeps bump with thin garage production. And when the band's punk/ keyboard mix clicks, like on "The Look, The Know," and "Inverse Crickets and Attractive Transistors," it comes off as ruthlessly violent fun.

Sadly, the band often lets a silly concepts take control over their songs ("Oh My Goth!") and the last third of the album is a steep decline into basement demo mediocrity. Go for Dress For The Future instead.

-Brent DiCrescenzo