At the Drive-In

The upshot of fiery, high-energy live shows and a cool, intelligent aesthetic, At the Drive-In have earned huge underground success the old-fashioned way -- by touring. You're swept into their attack from their opening chords, and their crushing, blissful wall of Punk doesn't let up until the closing notes. Searing to pristinely melodic guitars, a vocalist that does the role justice, and severe rhythms do more than mingle -- they combust. Coupled with razor-sharp melodies and perfectly executed dynamics, they haven't substituted fashion for substance here, either -- refer to a trillion sharp-dressed revivalists for that. Rather, At the Drive-In legitimize the underground for the beeline to success it grants a precious few.