This Wal-Mart exclusive CD will include a bonus track "UNCLE."

If the musical and lyrical contents of Mindless Self Indulgence's fourth studio album, If, were scrawled onto a psychiatrist's clipboard, the diagnosis would likely be schizophrenia. But that's hardly a bad thing.

Led by singer/songwriter/programmer Jimmy Urine, the New York City-based Industrial goth punkers have spent just shy of ten years cranking out psycho-sexual, black metal to the delight of their legions of fans. And if the band's 2005 effort, You'll Rebel To Anything was your cup of poison, you can expect a double dose from If.

"Never Wanted To Dance" kicks things off with Urine's irrepressible Sybil-inspired exclamations ("I'm amazed/ I'm afraid/ I'm too cool for second grade") and slides effortlessly into "Evening Wear," snide commentary on the shameless primping that accompanies his punk rock lifestyle. Accompanied by some "bop,bop, buh-da-bop" backing vocals, it's one of a number of moments on If that gives a sardonic tip o' the hat to archaic rock motifs.

"Lights Out," probably the crowning glory of If, is classic MSI. Steve Righ?'s synthesized guitar revs like a chorus of indie cars as Urine lays out the band's manifesto ("Causing problems makes you famous/ All this violence makes a statement"). The dizzying instrumental bridge -- complete with rad synthesizer solo -- resolves into a Tommy James and the Shondells-style clap track. These guys (actually, two guys and two young women) leave no stone un-pulverized.

"Issues" and "Get It Up" dive headfirst into MSI's usual ubiquitous sexual themes. But later tracks, like the more traditional goth rocker "Mastermind" and speed metal "On It" reveal the band's reverence for industrial metal's vast array of forms. Perhaps one of Urine's greatest strengths (and he has many) is his ability to take organic sounds, like the acoustic piano that opens "Pay For It," and incorporate them into the chaos of his kinetic, electronic arrangements. "Money," which, with it's a cappella whistling passages, sounds like an agro sea shanty, throbs with life as Urine puts the arrangement through its paces. Bassist Lyn-Z and drummer Kitty are no slackers either -- giving a thunderous bottom to these tracks.

The grimly humorous "Mark David Chapman" ("When the world's overrun/ With too many bands/ Who's it time for?/ Mark Chapman") does a fine job of rounding out this toxic masterpiece. Though (obviously) not for the politically correct, If promises a darkly pleasurable case of whiplash for fans of head-banging mayhem.

By Casey Carlisle