Featuring ex-members of a bevy of incongruent bands including punk kings The Criminals, metalcore behemoths Hatebreed, and The Receivers, to name a few, Black Cat Music produce a great indie/punk/garage rock 'n' roll hybrid on their second full-length for Lookout!.

A great aspect of this record is the variation. But no matter how disparate the sound, there's always a prevalent underlying rock 'n' roll vibe. Some tracks, like the opener "The Bridal Veil", "The French Exit", and most notably "Hearts of Chrome", are infused with energetic, raucous, and raw garage/punk, whilst others are a bit tamer, as they're slower and mellower, like "In the Lights" and "Stay West", while still others are highly affecting and emotive compositions that bring to mind Ignorance Is Bliss-era Face to Face for their emotive-yet-still-rocking ambiance. Those that fall into this last category - the unsurpassable crooner "Down Pretty Low", (though the comparatively more upbeat Jawbreaker-like "The Cloud of Glass" is quickly becoming a favorite, rivaling the aforementioned track's appeal), and the moving finale "Kiss Until Kissed" - are all unbelievably impressive (and, at least for Yours Truly, THE standouts on the album).

And listening to any of these 11 tracks, as dissimilar as they are at times, one thing is always evident: Black Cat Music exude immense energy and passion throughout the album, no matter what feel or tone they're going for.

Yet, before my praise goes too far, I must say this: for all October, November's highlights (and they are many), there are a couple tracks that don't sit well, including "The Jet Trash" and the stagnant "Thirteen Foot Waves". Despite these two less-than-savory offerings, however, overall October, November is simply an excellent album for fans of any and all of rock 'n' roll's myriad sub-genres (Lookout!).

www.blackcatmusic.net