When each new teen band single cracks the charts here, it is generally 3 notes and at most 10 words different from the last flavor-of-the-week single to hit it big. A good case in point comes from a little more than a decade ago when New Kids on the Block scored consecutive hits with "Hangin Tough," "I'm so Tough," "Still Tough," "What is Tough?", and "If I'd Wanted Tough, I'd Have Ordered the Steak at Denny's."

When these bands, unwisely, decide to write their own music, rarely are the lyrics more complex and challenging than "I hurt my thumb on my Playstation but I still want to hold your hand." As is normally the case, however, the music is written by an outside songwriter that sounds like a Diane Warren clone genetically engineered to suffer from a permanent creative drought.

Today's teen bands, at least here in the states, are the physical representation of the victory of style over substance. Their live shows, in an effort to distract from the homogenous sound of their music, provide choreographed dance steps that resemble a death row inmate getting juiced with 20,000 volts. In an effort, I guess, to simulate applause, each dance number includes at least one synchronized clap.

But I digress. Point being, I needn't have worried about my reaction to the CD. I was not only mesmerized, I was completely blown away by it. It is basically all I have listened to since I first got it in the mail. (My editor will be happy to know I'm listening to the CD's he sends me.) The four bandmembers mix and match musical styles as easily as a GQ model mixes and matches outfits, and vocalist Ella Hooper's voice is as smooth and powerful as any I've heard in the last few years. Whether she is out-and-out rocking, as in the anthemic "Superman/Supergirl," or when she is softly wrapping her voice around the music, as in the power ballad "Weir," I find myself entranced by her vocals.

The rest of the band isn't content to let themselves be caught in the background either. At their most radio friendly, they border on power pop but at other times, guitarist Jesse Hooper (Ella's brother) and drummer Adam Pedretti combine to sound like liquid fire being poured on gasoline. The songs themselves range from straight guitar driven rockers to a wistful almost unplugged piece, "Astral Boy," and added elements include the occasional ska beat and playful synthesizers.

Lyrically, the band is incisive and insightful, with subject matter ranging from diatribes on the dictates of fashion ("Mascara," "Class Celebrities") to teen angst and longing for innocence again. Though they sometimes lack the complexity of someone who has been writing songs for 30 or more years, they also lack the jaded world-weariness that almost always accompanies the passage of time.

The album wastes no time in hooking the listener, with the first song, "Mascara," being as catchy and listenable as any song on the entire album. However, I think for those that check this album out, it will be the smart pop ballad "Weir," that you find yourself singing over and over. I really enjoy this CD and can't wait until Killing Heidi tours somewhere near me. I think if I could say one thing to the band right now, it would be: "We'll apologize for Michael Bolton if you apologize for Olivia Newton-John."