The New Bomb Turks have been developing a following with some of the most intense faster-than-lightning punk rock of the past several years, which is why Nightmare Scenario is such a surprise. The track "Too Much" captures their trademark sound, but most of the album fantastically revisits the trashy garage rock of the '60s. Don't call it a downshift, though; frontman Eric Davidson has found his inner Jagger and he's merged it with a Warren Zevon-like sarcasm. "End of the Great Credibility Race" takes on all indie-rock comers with smart barbs ("I wasn't built to spill / I ain't no modest mouse") and sharp chords. "Automatic Teller" points a finger in a hysterical moment of rage against the cash machine, making 21st century aggravation fun again. This mighty 12-song salvo is spent in half an hour, a perfectly timed and executed detonation. --Jason Josephes