When American Steel came back to life in 2007, they surprised everyone by releasing the instant classic “Destroy Their Future”. Two years later the follow-up to that one is ready and while “Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts” is not the kick in the ass that “Destroy Their Future” was, it still is an very, very solid album. These Oakland punks still sound like a mix of Alkaline Trio (the title track), older Against Me! (“Tear The Place Apart”) and Rancid (“From Here To Hell”) and if you didn’t already know that these dudes can write mean hooks, then just check out “Safe And Sound”, “Lights Out” or “Your Ass Ain’t Laughing Now”. I don’t know what else to say… “Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts” is a prime example of East Bay punk and as solid as… well, American Steel.