Down By Law moved closer to getting the balance right on its second album.

Fusing together the varied elements -- SoCal punk aggression, melodic sweetness, and occasional mid-tempo rock swagger -- that were rarely integrated into a cohesive sound on its debut, the band often sounds powerful and unified on Blue.

This time around, Dave Smalley's voice sounds stronger, and the songs are generally more dynamic and better mixed.

Some of the tunes fail to make an impression, particularly those that bog down the middle of the album ("Rain," "Turn Away"), but rollicking anthems like "The Last Brigade," "At Home in the Wasteland," and "Finally Here" are delightful.