Orange County, California power-pop legends sparkle*jets u.k. returned this summer with their first record in over 20 years, and it’s a massive 21 song effort consisting of rare covers of bands they’ve befriended and been inspired from during their time in the underground rock scene. Best Of Friends has the trio in fine form and surrounded by some guests, too.

“Hold On Tight” starts the listen with fluid strumming and Michael Simmons’ bright and melodic singing, as Anthony Grisham provides his fluid electric guitar. The explosive “He’s Coming Out” follows with Susan West’s powerful pipes guiding Jamie Knight’s throbbing bass and Simmons’ thumping drums.

Further on, “Are We There Yet?” has Knight handling 12-string acoustic guitar amid the twinkling piano, Blake Martin’s well-timed horns and very pretty singing from West, while “I Want A Pony” places Joel Valder on drums for the firm display of their ’90s rock sensibilities that are still very much rooted in power-pop.

Approaching the end, “Good Sounds” brings a jangly moment of nostalgic pop ideas that are dripping in melody, and “Fantastic Pantsuit” exits with gritty guitar, a lively rhythm section, playful keys and Tisha Boonyawatana’s very animated voice populating the busy versus calm textures.

Available on CD or two slabs of vinyl, this is a triumphant return for a band who released a pair of great albums in 1998 and 2001 before going dormant. The covers include fun versions of tunes by The Masticators, Wondermints, Cockeyed Ghost and The Sugarplastic, plus others, and is brimming with hook-filled guitar rock that’s as timeless as it is memorable.

Rating: A-

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