EVE 6

 It’s been a while since the members of Eve 6 were rocking Gen-X radios with hits like “Inside Out” and “Promise,” but the band’s first new album in nine years proves they never surrendered their knack for creating hard-driving pop songs. In fact, they’ve gotten even better at it—tracks like “Victoria” and “Situation Infatuation” could pass for a sped-up Fountains of Wayne minus a little wit. The expert tunefulness helps distract from the record’s emotionally muddled, seemingly grab-bag messages. Bassist Max Collins can’t fathom how a lifelong friendship is slipping from his grasp on “Blood Brothers” (“We used to go bowling!”), while “B.F.G.F.,” a song from a few minutes earlier about licking your lips at your best pal’s date, contains some obvious answers. –David Styburski