Ellegarden may be a Japanese band, but their melodic brand of pop-punk would sound just fine playing in Hot Topic next to Simple Plan and blink-182.
First U.S.
release Riot on the Grill is completely straightforward mall punk filled with catchy tunes and singer Hosomi Takeshi's endearingly boyish son-of-Billie Joe Armstrong vocals.
Songs like "Red Hot" and "Snake Fighting" run a little light in the profundity department, but elsewhere, semi-title track "BBQ Riot Song" shows an endearingly goofy side.
There is absolutely nothing earth-shattering about Riot on the Grill, but it's politely entertaining stuff.