With an exuberant shout, the blur of horns and electric guitars and a backbeat stomp for the angels, The O.C. Supertones return in spades with Supertones Strike Back. As one of the original "third wave" ska-core bands, they introduced scores of mainstream pop fans to the rampant fun of an underground phenomenon. Since then, the ska-influenced Christian rock community has swelled to include Five Iron Frenzy, The Insyderz and Silage, with more on the way. Since all of those bands have a lot to offer fans, The Supertones needed something powerful to maintain their lead--and Supertones Strike Back certainly packs the wallop. They still have all of the fun and spontaneity of their debut, but Strike Back is a sharper, cleaner, harder album. It simply sounds great. Lyrically, they are still as in your face as ever: "Shut Up and Play" answers all those who complain about The Supertones' practice of straight-out preaching while they rock (I hear them yell at us, shut up and play/ well, who asked what you think?/ He went all out for us, say what you will/ I'll answer to my God); "Tonight" is a rockin' bedtime prayer (If I die here tonight, I know my soul is with you); "Perseverance of the Saints" is an anthem of commitment in the face of persecution; "Like No One Else" reminds that God cares about everything in our lives, no matter how small. With a strong case of ska-influenced, surf-wave flavored rock 'n' roll, Supertones Strike Back shows The Supertones are no fly-by-night outfit: They're leaner, they're meaner, and they're gonna preach to ya. And you can take that to the bank.