Evolver

Edgy confection from the husband/wife team of Pete and Maura Kennedy, Evolver continues their tradition of presenting intelligent pop that hides its dark core under a fine coating of cotton candy. "Keep the Place Clean" features a not uncreepy stalker who has been following a woman around while she runs her errands, fantasizing that he could lure her into staying with him and cleaning his house. "Never Learn" sounds like a love song, but ends ambiguously. The sweet, clear vocals of Maura Kennedy keep everything subversively happy and the band plays along as a well balanced, fluid unit reminiscent of other deceptively upbeat bands like Belly. While missing many of the literary references of their earlier work, the Kennedys still manages to bring a smarty-pants esthetic to an enjoyable listening experience.