Inez McLain and her dad Kenny have been making music together as the Exbats since she was 10. Inez drums and sings, and Kenny plays guitar (with occasional vocal). The sound is somewhere between the Bangs and (insert your favorite minimalist garage band here).

The Exbats Kicks, Hits and Fits (self-released)

Inez overlays her vocals into harmonies, which lends some sophistication to these lovely, simple songs. Basically, every song can be pretty much summed up in its title. "Doorman" is about being underage (as Inez still is) and unable to get into a show. "I Got the Hots for Charlie Watts" is about being in love with the skill and attitude of a legend. And so forth.

Subtlety? Um, no. Extended riffs on the terminally perplexing mystery of humanity's place in the cosmos? Hardly. Simple, direct, joyous music is its own pleasure. I suppose there is someone out there with enough sourness to frown at this, but that is a person I choose to not know.

Don't overthink things. The Exbats have a simple formula, and the McLains (and friends) execute it to perfection. Put the top down (or simply chop it off), get the ol' junker up to 100 and blast this at full volume. I promise you life won't ever get much better.

Jon Worley