After nearly 15 years of bona fide rock and various on-stage debauchery, Les Savy Fav are still together and making loud and jaunty music for sweaty crowds to jam out to. For their fifth studio album, Root for Ruin (Frenchkiss Records), the Brooklyn band has returned three years after the release of their last album with as much energy and animation that you might expect from their first. For a band that has been together longer than some of their fans have been breathing, that is something to be proud of. And from their repetitive chanting of ‘we’ve still got our appetite’ in the album’s opener, “Appetite,” I think it’s safe to say that they are.

For their last album, Let’s Stay Friends, Les Savy Fav expanded their musical sound by including other artists and even vocals from fans.  But for Root for Ruin, it seems they played it safe and kept it within the Fav group.  And while one would think this contrast might result in a less exciting and heard-before sound, one would be wrong. The band’s evident-as-ever raw energy and excitement will explode from your speakers/headphones. Most tracks on the album are what you would expect from Les Savy Fav–in-your-face, edgy rockers. Tracks like opener “Appetites” or the guitar-frenzied “Dirty Knails” burst with the energy of their live show. The only thing missing is Tim Harrington–in front of you and dressed like a yeti, making out with a stranger.

But there are a few subdued tracks, like the graceful, grooveful “Sleepless in Silverlake,” that provide a fitting contrast to the usual sweat-fueled jams. One thing, however, remains the same throughout the entire album: it is upfront and direct the whole way through. “Let’s Get Out of Here” isn’t structurally or lyrically complex, but it gets the point across, and it’s catchy. The simple “I want you yo want me now” is overly cliché, but, among the rest of the lyrics, fitting and refreshingly straight forward. In “Excess Energies” Harrington is a 17-year-old loser reflecting on his possibly worthless life and in “Lips ‘n Stuff” Harrington wants a friend with benefits (and who doesn’t?).

It’s no secret. Les Savy Fav has never been fancy or stylistic. They don’t dress up their music (only Tim Harrington’s body) and they don’t confuse you with lyrics. They are real with you. And Root for Ruin is the real deal.