And what’s the skinny on the latest platter from the band that brought Dickcheese to horrified parents across the globe? Have they embraced throat-singing, found the Lord or become a Pro-Tooled pop act?

Not on your life. Second verse, same as the first.

Sure, you might’ve moved on from the last time you were listening to these guys – but they truly haven’t. Occasionally – the humour can drag on a bit – this lack of wild reinvention can irk. But for the most part, it’s no bad thing; it means that the band’s been able to hone their sound, albeit without the company of Keish, who’s departed the band, leaving the able Regurgitator/Front End Loader-ite Pete Kostic to warm the stool. Very Exciting! is unbelieveably tight, and could well be the best work the trio’s ever laid down, though it doesn’t fall far from anything else they’ve ever done, songwriting-wise. Whether it matches their live ferocity’s still open to debate – but it’s the closest they’ve ever come thus far. And this time, it sounds fresh – mistakes and all – without sounding like the band had been recorded from within someone’s sock drawer. It’s rough and ready, but is enthusiastic rather than obnoxious. Maybe there has been a bit of growth here.

Then again, Hard-Ons aren’t particularly fazed either way if you don’t like what they do: the phrase “Fuck the self-righteous punk police!” shows up a couple of times through the album’s length. A thrown gauntlet? Probably. But with a tongue pushed so hard into cheek, it’s difficult to tell.

Very Exciting! manages to contain all the hallmarks of the band’s work – dodgy humour (Pimple Boy and (Every Time I Hear) Techno (I Pray For Death), whimsical stoner-pop (Caravan Man, Radio) and Big Rock Moments (pretty much everything else on the disc). And somehow – admittedly, like most of their other albums – it all manages to flow pretty cohesively. Why? Because it sounds just like a mixtape you’d make someone of a really cool band – these guys sound like they come from a world where punkers, popsters and metalheads cohabit in a The Secret Life Of Us arrangement. It all just works because of the lack of pretense that’s found here: this is the product of a bunch of guys who like to hang out and make music that’s at once loud, smart-arse and – by dint of the band’s age! – accomplished. The different styles given an airing on the album come together to make something that’s always more than by-the-numbers exercises in genre, but something that’s also hopelessly, lovably stupid. You just know this is an album that’ll kill your brain-cells – perhaps it’s the increase in disturbing devil-style vocals on a number of tracks? – but it’s hard to put it down nonetheless.

There’s nothing better than a bit of brainless escapism; and Very Exciting! is the finest rabbit-hole away from the working week that you can get. Flaws and all, it’s worth picking up for those air-guitar days. Hell, buy the album and then go buy the guys a beer as well. Chances are, they’ll probably be at a pub near you sometime soon.