Prior to listening to this album, I only liked one Fake Problems song: “Born & Raised.” I listened to it repeatedly, obsessively and feverishly. No other song interested me as much, but I figured there’d be no harm in listening to the Florida quartet’s newest material. The album proved to be the perfect music to play as I rearranged the posters on my wall; it gave a sense of comfort in alteration. The first few tracks had more of an edge than what I was expecting, but it gradually evolved into Fake Problems’ special brand of folk punk I was familiar with. I found myself infatuated by the lyrics because they’re beautifully written and sung with perfect clarity. The last line of the last song haunted me: “You can’t force a feeling and you can’t conjure up meaning, without perhaps believing that you’re good enough.” When the song cut out, I stared at the wall blankly for a few minutes, unable to move. I’m not sure if it was out of depression or realization, but all I can say is this record caught the real ghosts within me.

(Side One Dummy Records, 1944 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90068)