Cartoonist and self-appointed rock star James Kochalka isn’t for everyone. His style generally ranges from silly to whimsical, and his songs are soaked in sophomoric humor. His singing is looser than Daniel Johnston’s, never on key and typically nasal. But I love him regardless. James and his band of Superstars (frequent characters in his daily diary comics) finally get big label support from the eclectic Rykodisc, which should help them find a long-deserved larger audience. Suitably, this is their rockingist record, and the group sounds punchy and tight. Some songs have the feel of Black Flag or Fear, often with deep choruses reminiscent of the fun anthem “TV Party.” A bit of Casio keyboard kitsch balances things out with a dose of classic Kochalka cuteness. Most of his lyrics sound like they were made up stream-of-consciousness in the shower, yielding some really funny and bizarre stories. “Britney’s Silver Can” in particular is a ridiculous ode to the troubled pop star, with an endless refrain that will take weeks to dislodge from your brain.

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