Enlisting production whiz Todd Rundgren to helm Bad Religion's latest punk-rock communique is akin to hiring the world's top neurosurgeon to relieve a minor headache.

Rundgren is surely overqualified for the gig, probably his easiest in years; nevertheless, he underscores the band's firm grasp of melody, knits some nifty sounds effects into I Love My Computer and coaxes out some actual vocal harmonies from these veteran California rabble-rousers.

Otherwise, The New America is representative of Bad Religion's recent output.

This is strictly old-school anthemic punk in the early Clash/Stiff Little Fingers vein, featuring literate, empowering lyrics about searching for truth, being true to yourself, maintaining one's lust for life and resisting the lure of violence.

This is the sort of punk rock record that parents should urge their kids to hear.

Notably, estranged guitarist Brett Gurewitz returns to co-write and play on one track, Believe It.

Track Listing 01. You've Got A Chance
  02.It's A Long Way To The Promise Land
  03.A World Without Melody
  04.New America
  05.1000 Memories
  06.A Streetkid Named Desire
  07.Whisper In Time
  08.Believe It
  09.I Love My Computer
  10.The Hopeless Housewife
  11.There Will Be A Way
  12.Let It Burn
  13.Don't Sell Me Short