This came out in 2002 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Punk rock is all about going to extremes — faster, harder, louder, dumber, whatever.
Germany’s Beatsteaks, on the other hand, are one of the few bands that’s figured out less can be much, much more. Which is not to suggest that their sophomore CD Living Targets is some sort of mellow, unplugged album. Not by a long shot. This dozen-song set hits the ground running with the headbanging post-grunge rocker Not Ready To Rock and never looks back, charging through 40 minutes of rough ’n’ tumble punk anthems, hummable popcore and surging ’70s riff-rock. But the difference is, they run the race with style. Combining lean, muscular songwriting with spare, economical arrangements and some tasteful arrangements and production, Beatsteaks serve up a satisfying slice of sound that bears traces of Cheap Trick, Local H, Nirvana and The Hives, but never fails to come off as distinctive and original. Right on target.
