The Subsonics' fifth album,
A Lot to Forget, is a raucous collection of lo-fi surf rock. The garage edge gives the band a ripping sound that's more unique and contemporary than, say,
Susan & the Surftones, but a band like
the Sadies is both more atmospheric and more riveting. Still, tracks like "Stars" have a heck of a lot of momentum and undeniable groove, whether they sound retro or not. And the dark, midnight vibe on "I Walk Alone" and the title track is like
the Birthday Party covering
Link Wray. Maybe not a top contender for the purveyors of some way-out new sound, the Subsonics are the perfect choice for a band in a neo-noir flick that takes place in the early '60s. ~ Charles Spano