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The first impression of Love and Kisses is that Handsome Devil is another cookie-cutter pop punk band. And while that feeling is semi-true, Handsome Devil seems to offer a little bit more than most commercialized pop punk bands. This album is not a bad attempt at a fun, mischievous collection of happy-go-lucky punk.

So it does sound like it belongs on the American Pie 2 soundtrack. And it is somewhat reminiscent of American Hi-Fi, Sum 41, Newfound Glory or Lit. However, Handsome Devil has some highlights to their album. Their entertaining, up-tempo songs are good, just not great. The mainstream radio single, "Makin' Money" is an energetic tune with the most amusing lyrics. In fact, most of the songs have incredibly silly, juvenile lyrics. "I'm a fucking samurai from the dark side/ Eating fried rice, and I lie…" is a sample from their song, "Samurai", which could be better if it were more fast-paced. The song is entertaining, but sometimes sounds a little too introspective for its subject matter. "Everything" has some cool, 80's butt rock guitar riffs and other songs such as "Back Into Action" and "Hard Living Clean" have similar upbeat sounds. Their slower ballads are a little silly, and vocalist Danny Walker sounds a little like a slow, punk Elvis Costello. "I Fall Down" is more or less a waste, and "Tonight" is sweet and a little better, but Handsome Devil is better at the fast stuff.

So what makes this album more than adequate? Handsome Devil has some interesting guitar work that differs from the same old chords of some other punk bands, and they try sticking to punk with an 80's flair. "Hard Living Clean" offers some twangy guitar that brings up nostalgia of the "Dukes Of Hazzard". "Bring It On" also has good guitar work. Handsome Devil also plays around with some harmonies and back up vocals that are yet to be developed, but notable anyways. They clearly try to be more real punk than Blink 182 clones. "Makin' Money" and "Everything" seem to be mocking the sellout pop punk image more than adhering to it.

Fans of mainstream poppy punk will adore Handsome Devil. Some hard-core punk fans may despise them, but some will enjoy the spark from Love and Kisses from the Underground. It has the workings to be in the roguish, immature punk category that should belong in a teen flick soundtrack, yet has enough old punk zip to be respectable. It's simple, harmless fun and Handsome Devil should no doubt be "Makin' Money."