Antifreeze

With the blessing and guidance of newfound pop-core heroes the Ataris, it's an accomplishment that the sound of Antifreeze's sophomore effort is as fresh as it is. While teetering precariously on the edge of trite, mindless Good Charlotte-like mall-ternative pop, the Wisconsin-based quartet injects enough authentic punk rock influence to stay just this side of disposable crap. That's not to say the band doesn't offer up a sweet and tasty batch of hook-filled pop punk because they do. But without the contrived blind ambition and overriding desire to be rock stars, there's still enough attitude to keep it interesting.