When a band gives thanks, it's usually to either good friends or others that have influenced their work. Crease's thank-yous include such notables as Def Leppard, Our Lady Peace, Econoline Crush, and the Goo Goo Dolls. And that's not including their thanks to The Florida Panthers' Radio Network (hockey fans rejoice!). All the more reason to run through their newest album, "Vindication".

With the brief (and lyrically freeing) title track opening the show, they segue into "Gravity", a song where the opening riff holds a wee bit of ingredient from those Step King boys from a while back. Nothing leaps out to grab you until "Frustration", where singer Kelly Meister begins mimicking old school Hetfield (a precedent which is followed in most of the album). The chorus will place some in 80s territory, but don't be scared momma, it doesn't get weird. "Just For A Second" may divide some, as you're either thinking of Splendor or Poison. The closing lyrics offset the happier riffage: "Living here, die in absolution/Too much thought in finding a solution".

For your punkish side, there be "I'm The One", "Stuck Like Chuck", a cover of Tommy Tutone's "Jenny (867-5309)", and "Non-User". The faster-paced music gets the mass to jump, but those with a keen ear will catch poignant and occasional humorous lyrics such as "Up in the clouds, you won't come down/Until we reach the bitter end" and "Got the nerve to call me a walking pharmacy, when your blood alcohol level is past 2.3" ("I'm The One" and "Non-User", respectively). Meanwhile, those within a fifty mile radius will catch the distorted screams peppered through a couple of tracks.

If you're anything like me (and seek help you if you are), when "Spin Around" first hits, the first question on your mind will be "What the hell?! They covered 'Wonderwall' too!??!" But all is not as it seems, as both Kelly's grunge-esque lyrics, Fritz Dorigo's pop-esque lead guitar work, and Eric Dorigo's (Is he related to someone? Perhaps...) drum track deviate from anything Gallagher, molding it into their own, well-done piece of work.

Nirvana anyone? If so, you'll be satisfied with the opening to "Making Progress". By this song, you're swearing to yourself that they hogtied Jason Newsted and James Hetfield and forced them to do anonymous vocals for this albums. The freak-nasty guitar interlude may move some listeners elsewhere, but let's be honest, nothing's perfect. Crease does get brownie points for "Butterfly Stitches", where an electric country opening goes into a cousin riff of Stabbing Westward's "Save Yourself". And for those who want aggressive, rage-filled rock, see the finale, "Watch What You Wish For", where the panning vocals will keep your cat going after the mouse for the entire track.

There's ultimately three trends that occur throughout this album. On occasion, Crease begins to sound like they crawled out of the 80s (see "Building Up"), while other times they appear not too distant a punk band, and even then you have the more rock/pop works. While varied, there's not really enough to weigh down any opinion of the entire album.

And here's your hidden trackclue: Argue, then remix, then combine the two.