Sport Fury

Beachbuggy sticks with their signature surf-grunge sound on their second album, Sport Fury. It's a strict rock record in the sense that Beachbuggy rocks out in their own rowdy style while having a fantastic time. Frontman Jack Straker is an uncanny match for the Fall's Mark E. Smith, but without the sour demeanor. Spiky guitar riffs and a literate, snide attitude are found throughout the entire album, but "Kickin' Back" and "Touch My Stuff (You Can Die)" are individually entertaining with Straker's loose lyrical rants. "It Might be the Jets" provides a punk rock fix, but "Cuba" strips away Beachbuggy's rock grit for an intimate occasion. Sport Fury was produced by Steve Albini and his touch leaves an unsweetened impression. He let Beachbuggy go musically mad while he sifted through the real rock bits. But it's also a tad more contained than Albini's work with Jawbreaker and the Breeders. Overall, it's decent and those who appreciate real rock guts will enjoy Beachbuggy. ~ MacKenzie Wilson|