Band with H.B. roots releases new album

Humor and stereotypes play a huge role in Suburban Legends’ latest full-length album, “Day Job,” which the band released Tuesday.

The songs blend sounds of ska, rock and wit to create a catchy series of 14 tracks that will please loyal fans and attract new listeners.

The Huntington Beach natives haven’t released a full-length album since 2007’s “Infectious,” and have been teasing fans about a new CD since last summer. Now that the album is released, it does not disappoint.

It kicks off with high energy in “Emergency,” which tells the struggles of a worker looking for a way out of his day job. The song is cheerful, despite the anxiety in the song’s theme, and has a catchy chorus.

Vincent Walker (vocals) and Brian Klemm (guitar) share the vocal spotlight in “Love Fair,” which sounds like a combination of ‘80s hair metal and third-wave ska. The song starts off with the revving of a motorcycle engine and a metal-like guitar riff, but then changes into the pop/ska sound that Suburban Legends is known for.

One of the standout songs on the album is “Dude Alert,” which grabs the listener’s attention with a series of emergency alarms followed by the sounds from the horn section. The song is humorous, as it mocks a stereotypical, egotistical Southern Californian man with “tight pants,” a “flannel shirt” and “tribal tattoo.”

The album also features rerecorded songs from Suburban Legends’ “Going On Tour” EP (2010). “Open Up Your Eyes,” “Whoa,” “My Friend” and “Take the Next Stop” have added extra vocals by Walker and Klemm, as well as more horns.

Although the songs were redone, they don’t sound too different than the originals. This works positively and negatively for Suburban Legends. Fans will be glad that the songs still possess the same upbeat tones, but might also question why the songs were rerecorded in the first place when they’re not substantially different.

Suburban Legends have also included highly anticipated recordings of two Disney covers, “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and “Under the Sea.” The group has played these songs live for years but hadn’t recorded them until this album.

While the songs stay true to their catchy, childlike roots, Suburban Legends have added their own ska flare to it by adding a smooth bass groove by Brad Polidori (bass) and screams by Walker. Overall, the album is pleasing, despite the long wait for it. Many of the songs are cheesy and humorous, which adds to the good vibes that the overall album emits.

For more information about Suburban Legends and their new CD, visit suburbanlegends.com.