On their follow-up to 2013's highly successful, yet darkly toned
Onyx
, Michigan rockers Pop Evil turn the tables with
Up
, an album no less heavy, but one that comes from a more positive mindset. Working with producer Adam Kasper (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters) in Seattle, the veteran band delivers an expansive, hard-driving set of riffy post-grunge and alt-rock that frontman Leigh Kakaty describes as coming from "a personal reawakening" within their career. This is Pop Evil's third LP for the eONe label and fifth overall. ~ Timothy Monger