Several years in the making, Jordan Luck ’s aptly named post-Exponents band debut album sneers, leers and snarls with a frantic energy surprising for the 53-year old and his cohorts. Simultaneously recalling late ’70s punk, ’80s post-punk, and classic rock/pop in the style of Cheap Trick and The Cars, it was recorded live by guitarist Bryan Bell at Auckland’s Roundhead Studios, with Beaver Pooley on drums, bassist Rich Mixture and Joe Walsh also on guitar. Clocking in at 38 minutes, its 11 tracks echo the glory of Luck’s past musical endeavours whilst managing to produce some of his best work. Opener Can I Help You details a blue collar 20-something wasting their youth slaving away at a grocery store, Finesse is half-rooted in the Kiwi experience, but seems to be mostly about cutting loose, while Edens Of Suburbia recalls classic Exponents and features one of Luck’s catchiest choruses in years. Much of ‘Not Only…’ was co-written with former-Dead Flowers frontman Bell, and his stamp can be heard throughout. First single Only If You’re Lonely not only has one of Bell’s signature guitar solos but also one of Luck’s best lyrics. ‘I could get used to being lonely, only if you’re lonely too.’ Stevie, the ballad, is a tribute to the late Steve Cowan (notable for his guitar work on Exponents’ classic Victoria), helps pave the road for Luck – not only to the future but also his past.