White Crosses

In 2007, these Florida punks hooked up with producer Butch Vig for New Wave, infusing their lefty anthems with a new clarity and power. On the follow-up (also produced by Vig), some cynicism crept into Tom Gabel's lyrics: "I Was a Teenage Anarchist" is blazing Springsteen emo, as Gabel decries the misguided revolutionary politics of his youth, and on the pretty acoustic shuffle "Ache With Me," Gabel cops to a "sense of defeat." The arena-huge tunes can get a little overbearing, but cuts like the title track — where Gabel yearns to smash white crosses displayed by anti-abortion activists — are righteous, churning gut-rollers.