When So Much For The Afterglow opens with a corny, Beach Boys spoof, one can only prepare for the worst. But I'm writing this review to let you know that you don't need to. Those 40 painfully kitschy seconds are the worst you'll endure for the rest of the disc. Right when you least expect it, A.P. Alexakis growls, "This is a song about Susan," and Everclear's trademark So-Cal pop-punk blasts from the speakers in a firey ball of triumph.

Afterglow is overflowing with exactly the same kind of catchy rock and roll these guys cranked out on Sparkle and Fade and their lesser-known debut, World of Noise. Alexakis' lyrics are almost poetic again as he sings about standard rock star stuff like the advantages of being broke and on drugs. The difference between Alexakis and the average rocker, as you probably know, is that he's been through it, so it comes across more like a diary than a fantasy. Yeah, we've heard the sob story a million times, but where modern rock has become infested (and recent associated) with crappy music, Afterglow boasts unfeigned dignity and some damn good songs, too.

-Ryan Schreiber