While the cover's sinister drawing of a skull-faced Blackbeard has terrifying implications, this isn't another uninspired metal album. Frankly, you can't even tie The Misfits to the one dimensional saber-wielding pirate on the cover. Instead, Blackbeard's Ghost relives the early years of rock 'n' roll -- before the genre became tainted by extremist tendencies and over-the-top presentation.

Get ready for a healthy dose of revivalist '60s pop! My Teenage Stride strips the rock 'n' roll down to its essential elements, favoring immediacy and emotional sincerity over slick production. "Blackbeard's Ghost" is a fun-loving tale that time-travels back to rock's more innocent days. If you need a reference point, think Sam the Sham teamed with The Small Faces. Jedediah Smith (the musical mastermind behind the Stride) tackles vocal duties with a twist of mod and R&B, spilling out a fanciful tale about the departed swashbuckler. Fuzzy tube amp guitar and in-your-face bass back the charge as this silly song sails straight into your memory.

"Carry On Cassidy" includes backing vocals that could have come straight from an episode of The Partridge Family. Borderline bubblegum pop, "Cassidy"'s crackling harmonies, warm organ tones and bouncy beat sound like an unearthed blast from the past. It's sharp, witty and sincere, but ends far too quickly, leaving you craving a few more bars of Jedediah rock. Sadly, all that's left is the vacant hissing of the record needle as it wobbles across the clear vinyl record's final groove.