Kingdom of Ghost, The Firstborn Is Dead, ****

If at first you don’t succeed, go away and try again. Sometimes that is easier said than done, and many may have thought Humanzi’s misfiring 2006 debut was both an opening and closing shot. Instead, they’re back with an album packed to the rafters with snarling power. Everything wrong with the debut – the bombast, the cliches, the hubris – has been eradicated and replaced a swagger that comes from a decent bunch of songs and a growing confidence. The classic garage rock is still here, but there’s now a darker undertow that bodes well for future exploits. That Ghost came into being in Berlin, a city that embraces creative reinvention, adds another layer to the story. And, yes, you’re right, this is a review I never expected to write. myspace.com/humanzi

Download tracks:Just Like Boukowski, Bass Balls