Teenage Symphonies To God

For the title of their sophomore effort, the three members of Rhode Island's Velvet Crush turned to one of their idols: Teenage Symphonies to God is how Brian Wilson described the songs on the aborted Smile album. Singers and songwriters Ric Menck (formerly the drummer and leader of Chicago's Reverbs) and Paul Chastain (a respected guitar-pop solo artist) don't break any new ground. Their songs are strongly influenced by the Beach Boys, Big Star, and Gene Clark (they cover his "Why Not Your Baby"), and producer Mitch Easter recaptures the jangly sounds of Lets Active and early '80s R.E.M. But like their buddy Matthew Sweet, Menck and Chastain have enough enthusiasm, wit, and hooks to keep things fresh. --Jim DeRogatis