Late ’70s punk revivals The Soft Pack slide in under the urgent as hell philosophy like an orgy byproduct of The Buzzcocks, The Jam and The Ventures. But the San Diego natives mold the hard and fast with occasional surf-rock and manage to pluck the goods from their influences, while singer Matt Lamkin’s easy monotone drone sets it all off.

Initially entering the scene with the name The Muslims, they attempted to establish a “take us as we are” attitude, but decided to change their name after all of the questioning threatened their last nerves. In their new age, the dirty heart-beat-high sound ironically blends nicely with their updated name. And it’s fitting that they look so darn sweet.

Injecting enough nostalgia and bravado to maintain a proper buzz, they set the tone with the steady heavy opener “C’Mon.” They continue with “Down On Love,” a ditty about traipsing through the land of the untroubled because being alone is no big deal, and Lamkin’s nonchalant delivery drives the cynicism home making it the best in show. “Mexico,” conjuring the ’60s beach tone with its wining guitar winding, stands alone as the only soft-tempo track with a groovy bass line.

But it’s not all perfect toe-tapping, head swinging harmony. While the dense punk aesthetic runs deep, the crafting can be monotonous.  As a result, the quintet lights up the background, but could have a hard time holding down center stage.

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