(Perris Records)

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Unsung Bay Area power-pop hard rockers American Heartbreak return with a pleasing rarities album full of punky nuggets and acoustic ditties. Lead by former Jet Boy guitarist Billy Rowe, AH have been kickin’ around since the late ‘90s and do the Cheap Trick meets D’Generation thing better than anybody, as is proven on this 16-song strong disc.

Live versions of “I Wish Your Were D.E.A.D,” “Rotten Apple,” “Superstar,” “Angeline” and “Brain Vacation” cook and sizzle like the band is right there in your living room. The band veer left and deliver tasty acoustic versions of “Another Wasted Day,” “Dead At 17,” and “Postcards From Hell,” showing they ain’t limited to this punk rawk thang. Terrific acoustic covers of Cheap Trick’s “Come On, Come On” and Starz’s “Outfit” round out the "stripped" section of the disc. The last 1/3 is a 2003 remix of their 6-song EP What You Deserve, which sounds even more crisp and mean that the original and features one of their best tunes, “Richey James.”

A little gem to tide y’all over ‘til the band knocks out another studio effort, You Will Not Be Getting Paid finds a great band in top form, makin’ music, makin’ noise and havin’ a real god time. Ain’t nuthin’ wrong with that, right?