Star Catcher

Play the Crystalairs for even knowledgeable fans of '50s vocal groups, and they might be surprised to find that the Danish quartet is a contemporary group still active in the mid-2000s. (At least until they get to pop culture giggles like "The IHOP Song," that is.) Utterly faithful to the pre-Beach Boys vocal group template, the Crystalairs' vocal arrangements are exquisite copies of the Four Lads/Four Preps style, but they're delivered with a level of utter sincerity that transcends pastiche. Equally adept with ballads like the gorgeous title track, which mines the same spooky/lovelorn vein as the Flamingos' version of "I Only Have Eyes for You," and more upbeat material like the swinging "Goodnight to the World," which also features a classic honking sax solo, the Crystalairs approach this music with equal amounts of reverence and fun. The only problem is that at 22 songs, the double-album-length Starcatcher gets a bit tiresome if listened to in a single sitting.