A more appropriate title for this album might be How the Souls Got Their Groove Back. Not since their classic 1994 collection The Good, the Bad, and the Argyle have they supplied such a wonderful assortment of rambunctious entertainment. It's reason to celebrate, 'cause when the Souls are on their game, as they most certainly are with Hopeless Romantic, few within the genre can match their abilities.

Perhaps I'm amiss with this assessment, but it seems to me after the band was rapidly catapulted into punk prominence, they allowed themselves (unintentionally, I'm sure) to fall into the posturing trap. Their musical moves seemed to be dictated more by what others defined as "being punk" rather than whatever creative vibrations were bouncing in their souls. (Er... sorry.) The results, evident in Maniacal Laughter and especially their Epitaph debut, seemed a bit contrived and were sadly removed from the spontaneous, "anything goes" spirit exhibited in their earlier material.

It is with great joy that I announce these matters needn't concern us any longer! Hopeless Romantic abounds in the type of engaging tomfoolery that established the Bouncing Souls' unparalleled charm both live and on record. "Bullying the Jukebox" is a comical tribute to the band's love of music which doubles as a drinking song-- the kind you and your mates can instantly envision swinging pints to while drunkenly bellowing along. "Monday Morning Ant Brigade" is scatological, but hysterical in its commentary on the all- too- typical weekend. Then, there's the bickering duet between a male and female lead in "Wish Me Well (You Can Go to Hell)." This song made me damn near piss myself when I first heard it, rolling down a major highway, fellow travelers peering at me with post- workday scowls, wondering what was worth laughing about.

Despite frequent moments of hilarity, the Souls manage moments of sheer poignancy, too. "'87" repeatedly asks "Do you remember?" and begs you to cry at the rapid dwindling of years. "Kid" considers the moving question posed in "The Breakfast Club": "Is it true when we get old our hearts die?" And "Night on Earth" glides along at a pace well- suited for its introspective subject matter, a slow and bittersweet groove that seems almost trance- like.

Hopeless Romantic attempts to simulate both the look and sound of vinyl, a nostalgic nod which is also appropriate for an album that recaptures the spirit of the past. The Souls, like voyagers who were temporarily blown off course, have triumphantly returned. It's good to have them back.

-Kevin Ruggeri