Splitsville: Ultrasound

The members of The Greenberry Woods played light, inoffensive pop-rock and put out two terrific little records, each of which was heard by about 10 people despite major-label backing. That band is gone now, but its creative core has formed Splitsville, a sloppier, more fun-loving combo. The trio's debut, Ultrasound, lacks the consistency and impossibly catchy pop sheen that pervaded The Greenberry Woods' records, but there's plenty of new fun to be found here. For starters, Ultrasound's 15 songs go by in a whiplash-inducing 32 minutes, which means precious little padding or plodding. Songs liberally swipe hooks from "My Sharona" ("Let's Go") and keyboard lines from The Rentals ("Racer X"), and "Ponce De Leon" recalls Ben Folds Five to a staggering degree. This stuff isn't built around innovation, to be sure, but it doesn't need to do anything earthshattering, as long as it keeps the silly mini-choruses and "bah-bah-bah" lyrics coming. A minor treat.