Ataxia's Alright Tonight

The power-pop/punk of Ataxia's Alright Tonight captures all of the engaging, speedy fun that can make the genre so likeable -- the record's amazing and consistent catchiness can be hugely satisfying, and seems to cut a wholly pop line between the appeals of the Ramones and Tiger Trap, the Mr. T Experience and Sarge, or whatever other punk-to-indie references one might choose. Fortunately, nearly every track on Ataxia's Alright Tonight lives up to this -- Discount never steps down from its hooky best, and since there's not a whole lot of content beyond the feel-good melodies and sing-along hooks, this is a very, very good thing.