The second album by SVT is an appealing blast of West Coast new wave, with good songs played with blistering intensity.

Unlike many albums from this era, it is more than a period piece, mainly thanks to the quality of the material and performances rather than any particular innovation on the part of the band.

What sets SVT apart is the interplay between Brian Marnell's urgent guitar chords, Paul Zahl's hammering percussion, and Jack Casady's rumbling bass.

Casady may have been the most famous musician here, but this band was not just his vehicle.

It's easy to believe that SVT could have gone on to great things if lead singer and guitarist Marnell hadn't died shortly after the release of this album.

Listen to the surf instrumental blast of "North Beach" or the punk-inspired title tune and you'll hear a band that should have been famous.