With a name like Boy Genius and an album title like Staggering, you're always setting yourself up for a fall. I'm not against people being positive - having the right attitude is most of the battle... However, if you were expecting Boy Genius to smash the face of music, rip it up and start again, well, you're going to be disappointed. These guys have mined the rich seam of power-pop from the 60's all the way through to 00's, with a long delay in the Teenage Fanclub and New Pornographers section of your favourite record shop. It's perhaps unsurprising to find that the album is produced by Mitch Easter, who masterminded the college rock sound of R.E.M and Pavement in the 80's.It starts with the tinkling intro to 'Scatterbrain', and it isn't long before those soon to be familiar jangly guitars kick in and Jason K's gentle vocals strain into view. It feels like I've been transported back 20 year's, to the days of Aztec Camera, latter-day Smiths and the start of early 90's Californian surf-pop. 'Blame Love' brings some horns into the mix, but the main refrain is still those infectious guitar riffs, though here they're perfectly joined by female backing vocals... Suddenly, from nowhere, you're right foot is tapping along, like it's got a mind of its own... you can't stop it, it's impossible! Resistance is futile! 'Ramona Saves The Day' brings in the first slap bass intro I've heard since the epic Level 42, whilst 'Old New England' brings to mind Idlewild in their calmer, REM aping days, with the revolving guitar riff and join-in chorus.As the rest of the ten songs swiftly pass you by, that right food keeps tapping along. The main fact is, if I'm completely honest, this isn't particularly original, but that doesn't make one bit of difference. Like most pop music, this is disposable but infinitely enjoyable. Just the thing to help coax Spring into view.

Buy the album on [itunes link="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/staggering/id352517974?uo=4" title="Boy_Genius-Staggering_(Album)" text="iTunes"]