Crash Love (Bonus Track Version)

Following 2006’s Decemberunderground, frontman Davey Havok and guitarist Jade Puget birthed electronic project Blaqk Audio, and Havok launched the Glitterboy Clothing fashion line while bass man Hunter Burgan toured with his old band the Force. But none of these distractions diluted the music of Crash Love, as evidenced by behemoth opener “Torch Song,” a soaring serenade of pained adoration, shaded melodies, and dark romantic lyrics. “Too Shy to Scream” boasts stompy drumming culled from Bow Wow Wow’s cover of “I Want Candy” and Adam Ant’s “Goody Two Shoes,” though the catchy chorus is what makes this one a standout. The equally infectious “Veronica Sawyer Smokes” is largely influenced by post-goth tones from late-‘80s Manchester (before The Stone Roses changed everything). With a barbed guitar riff, triumphant gang vocals and a melody that will latch onto your brain and lay eggs, “Medicate” is the money jam.