San Diego indie-rock quartet We Shot the Moon bring an unaffected sweetness and idealism to their sophomore album A Silver Lining (2009). This time out, the group turns up the guitars to flesh out their shimmering keyboard-centered sound. Though these tracks have a cool veneer, singer Jonathan Jones invests them with an earnestness that lends warmth to the sparse, somewhat elliptical lyrics. On certain songs (especially the title number), We Shot the Moon brings to mind the pulsating drive and spiritually tinged idealism of early U2. More often they serve up wide-eyed, clean-edged pop with a cheerful romantic glow, as on “Amy” and “Candles.” A message of hope and friendship binds together such tracks as the synthesizer-dominated “Miracle,” the galloping “Amarillo,” and the thoughtful, slightly drowsy “In Good Time.” Among the highlights is “The Bright Side,” a bubbly little fusion of classical and power-pop motifs. A Silver Lining wins points for its sleek sonic finish and positive lyrical touch.