Every track on their debut record, My Dear Antagonist, is, well, full. There are a few moments of respite, like a groovy piano break at the end of “Plastic Heart Surgery,” but for the most part, BBRK crams as much instrumentation into each song as possible. The bass is consistently high in the mix, lending a funkier feel to songs that owe more to bands like 311 or the Red Hot Chili Peppers than to the band members' Dominican influences. The Afro-Caribbean flavors emerge more in the last few tracks, particularly “Mani Tote,” with its definitively Latin percussion, lyrics in Spanish, and understated but well-utilized horn section. “I'd Rather Dance With a Stranger,” with its driving ska rhythm and cynical lyrics, may well be the hit single of the record, although “Snails” could also be a contender. Both are high energy, super funky, and deal with traumatic relationships and their attendant miscommunications in an instantly accessible way.

There are a couple of problematic elements to BBRK's sound. First, they don't use the lower, quieter end of the musical spectrum when some variety would add interest to their songwriting. It's not that the songs are repetitive, but that they are uniformly loud, mostly fast, and lack the dynamic range that noisy bands like Green Day or vibrantly multi-cultural groups like the Latin Playboys use in their favor. Similarly, Lael Llaverias' vocal style may not be an issue for fans, but to fresh ears he sounds a bit like Eugene Hutz of Gogol Bordello, if Hutz traded in vodka and despair for lots and lots of coffee and sunshine. The effect is slightly disconcerting and occasionally irritating.

Judging from their online popularity and early positive response to their debut, BBRK won't have a problem finding their ideal audience, a Skittles-like mix of ages, genders, and ethnicities. There's something here for just about everybody. Fans of Sublime or Fishbone will appreciate the solid songwriting and high-energy grooves. Those more inclined to wiggle their backsides can get down to the merengue beats, and the kids can just jump around and have a good time. Boom Box Repair Kit is a solid party band with great chops, a bit of a dark side (but nothing serious) and lots of room to grow.

Recommended Tracks: "I'd Rather Dance with a Stranger," "Snails"

-Donna Blumenfeld