If you are looking for music with soothing melodies and lyrics composed of syrup from a band that stimulates the mind and is pleasant to the ears... then New England's The Dimwits will not fit in with your listening criteria.

On the other hand, if you are seeking punk-flavored originality, wild beats, and songs with topics very few other acts, both mainstream and independent, rarely touch, then their brand new release will be right up your alley.

The band started out in a basement south of Boston in 2003 before releasing an EP, Clear the Room. They then went on to playing the club scene throughout Boston and New England before finally releasing Hey Man, Good Set, their first full length CD on their own label, Winter Street Records.

The album contains 16 tracks, of west coast style punk and old school hardcore, with subjects such as hot bartenders ("Beer Girl"), the odor of hippies ("Soap Not Dope"), along with the ubiquitous broken hearts songs, punk style, of course.

Add to the mix other interesting song titles such as "Nathan's a Man Whore," "Fat Pat Owes Paul $20," "Shannon's Got an STD," and "Serenity Now," just to name a few. All the songs are well written with superb creativity that would fit in with any genre, and with the fast-paced tempo changes, it isn't one of those overdone works, either.

In addition to 15 original songs, Hey Man, Good Set also contains a cover of the Black Flag hit, "Jealous Again," one of the CD's biggest gems.

The CD is available now on Interpunk.com, Newbury Comics in the New England area, and of course, at all of The Dimwits' shows. The group will be heading on tour in late March; but in the meanwhile, I recommend all punk fans add Hey Man, Good Set to their road trip and other CD collections.