Fifteen years since their last studio outing, California rockers Camper Van Beethoven have burst back onto the scene with a self-indulgent concept album about a Texas soldier boy turned suicide bomber. Clocking in at nearly seventy minutes, New Roman Times runs the gamut from hard rock to wispy pop and back again.

With so much time on the shelf, one would think CVB’s musical skills would need some polishing. Thankfully, though, this is anything but the case. The group’s penchant for world melodies and a thorough use of violin is still in full effect, lending a satirically jaunty feeling to the group’s music as they rail against the excesses of the Bush administration. A critical eye plants its gaze on world affairs in “Might Makes Right” – “Yeah might makes right/They say God is on our side I don’t believe them.” Afterwards, “Militia Song” provides an acerbic parody of an old country hoedown, with terrorist jokes replacing Southern charm.

Other moments on the album perfectly showcase Camper’s range of talents. The title track floats effortlessly on a cloud of dream pop vocals and wafting violin, all while David Lowery sings of disillusionment with America’s treatment of its military. Guitar chimes in nearly as softly as individual piano notes, and a catchy chorus etches the melody into the mind indelibly. “Discotheque CVB” mixes Saturday Night Fever with tribal drumming and Spanish guitar; “The Poppies of Balmorhea” hearken back to Key Lime Pie and its Arabian flavors.

Excess can at times get the best of New Roman Times. “La la la”s can go on for minutes, and sampled Spanish voices start to grate on the ear. With so many strong moments on the album, the sloppy discordant messes of “I Hate This Part of Texas” and “Los Tigres Traficantes” end up sounding like the b-sides of a far lesser band.

Still, there’s far too much promise in this new release for any fan of melody to overlook it. Camper Van Beethoven rocks better than ever before, issuing a much-needed call for change in this time of political turmoil.