After selling 10,000 copies of its debut EP on the road as opener for disposable pop chanteuse
Ashlee Simpson, Boston's
Click Five brings forth its own recipe of hookified pop with
Greetings From Imrie House. Claiming to draw from
Cheap Trick and
Matthew Sweet, a listen to the band's song cycle actually finds them closer to a hybrid of slick popsters
the Calling and the much more credible
Fountains of Wayne. Once learning that the band's first single "Just the Girl" was penned by the latter's Adam Schlesinger -- who also wrote the album's other hit-contender, "I'll Take My Chances" -- it all makes sense. Although this suit-clad group has a radio-ready, '80s-inspired sound thanks to producer Mike Denneen (
Fountains of Wayne,
Aimee Mann) that also recalls
the Cars', much in part to guitar assistance in the studio from that band's axe-master
Elliot Easton, the band still feels far more disposable than
the Knack did back in 1979. That's not to say strong, punchy rockers like "Pop Princess" won't reap them instant acclaim. ~ John D. Luerssen