MEET THE UNDERGROUND POP SENSATIONS!

By: B

The debut album from the Olympic Hopefuls, The Fuses Refuse to Burn, is music to show people you are cool. It is 2004's album to recommend to your friends, to play at parties and to pop in on road trips, to let others know just how hip you are. You are trendy. You are cutting-edge. You have the new Olympic Hopefuls album, and you heard about it first.

Though the Olympic Hopefuls is a new band, its members are veterans to the music scene. Band members have played in such local Minnesota bands as Kid Dakota, Alva Star and more, but recorded songs together from time to time. Once the sound took hold and it starting working, the members decided to dive in and work on a full-length album. Result: The Fuses Refuse to Burn, a well-crafted pop album that is sweet like candy.

To narrow down, The Fuses sounds like a combination of Weezer and the Cars. Or, for a more precise comparison for those in the know, the Minus 5 and the New Pornographers. It is a pop album enjoyable even for music snobs; a building, layered sound lush with melodies. Each song ends better than it begins. With well-timed hand claps, refreshingly active drums and Beach Boy-inspired dreamy background vocals, The Fuses is rightfully climbing up the college music charts.

With the exception of a particularly grating melody during the verses of "Drain the Sea," every song works. The best tracks are "Trust Fund" and "Pretty Bigmouth," both of which could potentially be popular singles.

The lyrics are light and breezy and laced with a sense of humor. In "Pretty Bigmouth," lead singer Darren Jackson sings, "Would it be so bad to shut your mouth and listen?/ Could it be that you're just a pretty bigmouth, well I think so." In "Whisper" he sings, "You never let me meet your friends cuz I might say something stupid/ I might be high or on a binge and that wouldn't make you look so good". Sure, these lyrics won't break your heart or inspire action, but they certainly beat most of the self-important wheezing found on most radio dials.

This album cannot currently be found at the regular outlets, but can be purchased on their website. It is 35 minutes of pure pop enjoyment, surprisingly refined for an indie album. It would take a concerted effort to dislike The Fuses.

Though this isn't a groundbreaking, cream-your-jeans album, it is a fun venture that hits all the right notes. The Fuses Refuse to Burn is a solid indie debut from beginning to end, ideal party music for urban hipster music lovers. As the cutting-edge trendsetter, you should be the one to suggest it.

POP RATING: 7

CRITICAL RATING: 8

B'S RATING: 7.6

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