Chicagoans Lucky Boys Confusion have chosen the standard rock route with their latest release, a five-song EP called How to Get out Alive. The boys made a name for themselves, landing a major record deal to put out their second full-length, Commitment. Despite how committed the guys were, they proved a bit unlucky when Atlantic bought out Warner and bid the boys farewell. So they started from the bottom again, turning out this EP on their own label. Considering this fact, production is astounding. “Cigarettes” has the catchy riffs (including some synth) and cute lyrics that make a great pop song, but has more complexities than “Hey Driver”, the band’s closest thing to a big hit from their last album. Overall, however, its disappointing to see that the band has shed one of its most recognizable traits on this album: their ska influences. Though often making their way only into songs subtly such as the “hey hey hey” chants on “Hey Driver”, the Lucky Boys sound has always incorporated some ska. Hopefully the guys bring back the twotone upbeats on their full-length due out sometime next year.

Tracklisting:
1. The Struggle (Getting out Alive)
2. Cigarettes
3. When Bad News Gets Worse
4. Like Rats From A Sinking Ship
5. Anything, Anything