Aggrolites

One look at the four Los Angelinos who comprise the Aggrolites, and you might be surprised that they spend their nights playing sweet, sweet ska/reggae/soul and not, I don't know, stabbing you with a homemade shiv in the prison yard because you wouldn't bum them your last smoke. Basically, these guys look hard. It's most definitely a surprise to hear how much honest-to-God soul is present in Jesse Wagner's vocals on "Gotta Find Someone Better," "Firecracker" and "Wild Time," the best tracks from this year's IV, the band's fourth album. I'm willing to bet the group can shift from Motown to throwdown if the occasion arises, but in the meantime, just sit back, relax and enjoy some Aggro — without, y'know, getting all aggro.