The skeleton that holds Charm Offensive together can be found in the truly great pop songs. "When You’re Gone", "Yours To Lose", "Shy", "Hold A Shadow Down" and "Bertha Jane" continue the tradition of classic, hard edged power-pop songwriting that has become Steve Barton’s trademark. Vibrant, uplifting slices of three minute exhilaration combine a heady mix of British Invasion 60s and late 70s new wave, yet are still smart enough to sound completely fresh, completely now.

Fleshing out the body of the disc are arrangements that create depth, from the venomous thrash of "Kiss This", to the muscular, intense balladry of "Monument". "Tina Finds The Silences" is an appropriately edgy, angular and aggressive salute to Talking Heads bassist Tina Weymouth. Narcolepsy Baby is a perfect McCartney-esque character study - a passionate, evocative vignette. The album closer, "What Treasures I May Find" reveals a gentler, more introspective side to Barton’s craft.

Probably the song that will garner the most interest initially is the sole cover version on the album. The Beatles’ "She’s Leaving Home" has been head-banged into a different shape altogether – assembled into one of the most outrageous re-interpretations of a Beatles song that has ever been digitally encoded.

Ultimately, what makes Charm Offensive a great listen is its depth and variety. The strength is in the songs. Each song stands on it’s own, and each song gets even more satisfying with every spin.

Oh, don’t forget – PLAY LOUD!