I sincerely hope I won't offend Australia's Mutiny by saying that they struck me as sort of a milder New Model Army with a smaller political sphere. The violin, mandolin and tin whistle that give Mutiny its folk-rock edge also make the band far catchier -- and indeed friendlier -- than NMA. And whereas New Model Army preached isolationism and borderline terrorism, Mutiny level their anger at some of punk rock's most traditional targets -- unemployment, the boss, the Man, the police and other authority figures -- in truly mutinous moments of insurrection. While the band vents mild angst on "Girlz on the Fiddle" and "High on the Hill", they aren't above addressing lighter fare -- dubious skin art ("Bodgy Tatts"), blowing one's modest income on alcohol ("Enjoy it While it Lasts") and of course that timeless rite of passage, stealing money from drug dealers ("These Streets"). What's cool is that you never get the feeling that Mutiny are overly serious; they're passionate about their lyrics, but they aren't a bunch of humorless no-fun-niks like NMA. The energetic, Andrew Bird-ish violin work, in particular, will get you on your feet, tapping your toes and vigorously slagging off your boss. Bloodshot Records fans take note -- Mutiny are right up your alley. Enjoy Rum Rebellion with a few pints of working man's beer (or rum) at your earliest convenience.