Those who picked up II after catching Nude Beach in concert were rewarded with a record that faithfully preserves the group's unpretentious bar-band charms. While Nude Beach self-identify as punks, II is more akin to pub rock, the roots-driven movement that pre-dated the Sex Pistols in mid-70s England. Elvis Costello had connections to that scene, and My Aim Is True is an obvious touchstone for II-- particularly "Keep It Cool" and the beery bear-hug that is "Cathedral Echoes"-- but Nude Beach don't aspire to Costello's erudite lyricism or furious posturing. This is good-time, forget-your-troubles music whose primary subject is the pure, uncut joy it inspires. The album-opening "Radio" is made for the very thing the title references, barreling forward with an enthusiasm ideal for car stereos and rolled-down windows. "You Make It So Easy" is an affecting slow-dance number conjuring the memory of a million other slow dances, both real and imagined. "Love Can't Wait" is the scrappy Tom Petty knock-off, delivered with enough affection and endearing awkwardness to make the thievery not only forgivable, but almost heroic.