There are people who believe that there is a type of music called "indie". I'm not going to go into a deep dive on how stupid this is, but every once in a while I hear something that makes me reconsider. Usually it's a band that has a lot in common with the Smithereens, one that cranks out softpedaled midtempo rockers. I yawn and move on.

The Hasbros God Hates the Hasbros and Other Conspiracy Theories (self-released)

But every once in a few years, I hear a band within that basic profile that manages to break out of the middling label. The Hasbros are hampered by a possibly-intentional muddled mix (making the producer sound vaguely incompetent) that totally erases the top end of the sound. There are no sharp edges to the sound here.

But the songs have a higher gear. The Hasbros traffick in solid melodies and friendly harmonies, but the songs are kicky and fun. This Queens trio (made up of guys my age, judging by their picture) certainly knows what it wants (including, possibly, that middle-hugging mix), but its spirit is much closer to Twin Tone-era Soul Asylum than, er, Grave Dancers Union.

More in a sense of style than actual sonic resemblance. The Hasbros are energetic, not anarchic, but they aren't afraid to follow a tangent. I like the way they roll.

Jon Worley