More than a year ago, Lawrence's Pomonas recorded an EP that wasn't so hot. This year, they turned out When You're Electric, an album on which everything fell into place. It's the kind of catchy, energetic rock that bands like Spoon hear when they're dreaming about being back in high school, making out with unattainable cheerleaders and building rockets out of plywood in the basement. Singer and guitarist Justin Ripley sounds like Stephen Malkmus in his prime, whipping out perfectly overenunciated vocal hooks above guitar licks that synch with his brother Brandon's quirky cowbell-and-tambourine-rigged drums, while Andy Gassaway's fuzz bass cuts through the smoke. Rounded out by guitarist and bassist Ryan Laird, the Pomonas take rock back to its early, Kinksish innocence and translate it for the lo-fi-loving American indie market. The only thing the Pomonas aren't good at is getting signed to a major label and becoming famous. But there's still time -- dancing days are bound to come again.<
