Greetings from Imrie House

Album Review

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, Rovi