sounded and looked out of place in the post-Brit-pop indie-rock world of the late '90s. Older than their peers and possessing utterly no fashion sense, relied on traditional indie-rock values, cribbing their sound from late-'80s alternative rock groups like and , while lacing it with droning chords borrowed from and strong British melodies. , the group's debut album, runs out of steam toward the end of the record, but its first two-thirds are invigorating indie-pop, filled with jagged, fuzzy guitars, call-and-response vocals, angular hooks and oddly ingratiating flat vocals. The best songs -- including the roaring singles and "My Puppet Pal" -- bristle with unconventional hooks and pounding rhythms. likes to make noise and their glee is infectious, even when the noise outweighs the melody. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine