Farside's third album The Monroe Doctrine features 17 eclectic, punk-tinged tracks. Straight-ahead rockers like the opening track "Better Than Crying" mix with power pop, ballads, and grindcore for the group's most varied and accomplished work. The album also includes "Moral Straightjacket," "The Lonesome Ballad of El Bobo the Cranky," and "Liz Hurley." Though punk is still their touchstone, Farside's expanding musical reach is admirable. ~ Heather Phares, Rovi
