Audit in Progress

The third and final studio outing by San Diego's Hot Snakes, 2004's AUDIT IN PROGRESS, is the first to feature Mario Rubalcaba (formerly of Sea of Tombs) on drums. The change, if anything, intensifies the band's brute punk rock force, which hits harder than ever here, as on the throbbing opening triumvirate "Braintrust," "Hi-Lites," and "Retrofit." Guitarist John Reis--on what would prove permanent hiatus from main project Rocket from the Crypt--and singer Rick Froberg are in rare, breathless form throughout. If the Snakes' debut, AUTOMATIC MIDNIGHT, boasts more instant classics, AUDIT IN PROGRESS almost makes up the difference in sweat.