**1/2 Sexy Death Soda

CALIFORNIA POLICE STATE

(Bong Load Custom)

Two things in particular make this Southern California combo notable. The first is their Beck connection -- both singer/songwriter Steve Hanft (a/k/a Steaksauce) and drummer Lisa Demerol played with the inimitable Mr. Hanson in Liquor Cabinet earlier in the '90s, and Hanft has directed several of Beck's videos. The second is their fairly faithful and remarkably well-executed cover of Captain Beefheart's "Plastic Factory." And on the wigged-out "November Reign," SDS do a fine job of combining the styles of those two LA mavericks (who aren't as dissimilar as you first might think).

The rest of California Police State is unexceptional fun, with nasal singing and zany toilet-mouthed hipster lyrics that are more than a little reminiscent of Ween. Although the band's attempts to sound psychedelic usually fall flat, they do tap into a winning, garage-rocking groove on the appropriately named "Acid Trip." In fact, SDS are at their best when they're at their most aggressive.

-- Mac Randall