Authority Zero: Andiamo : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Mesa, Arizona's Authority Zero offer little in the way of innovation, but by wearing its main influences -- like Bad Religion ("Painted Windows") and Sublime ("Madman") -- proudly on its sleeve, the band's sophomore album goes where other major label punks like Good Charlotte never will. Sustaining one's attention with the genre isn't an easy feat anymore, but by incorporating ska, reggae and even tossing in a Tex-Mex/surf guitar instrumental, Andiamo comes out mostly fierce and fun. Okay, the group's stab at Wall of Voodoo's classic "Mexican Radio" is regrettable, but by countering it with the inventive pacing and irresistible refrain of "Revolution," AZ has one of the finest radio anthems since that other Mesa band, Jimmy Eat World, dropped "The Middle."