I will never forget my first Honeydogs concert experience. Although it was my last, I can proudly say that the 'Dogs played Northfield, and I was there at Bridging the Gap in 1999.

To speak truthfully, I don't remember even one tune from that performance, so this review of their new album, Here's Luck, is from total innocence and will definitely provide an unbiased look at the 'Dogs' style.

This Minnesota band's fourth LP is quite the radio ready pre-packaged product, from the chords to the lyrics to the staged band photos. Many Midwest bands have been given the perma-stamp label of "alt-country," including the Jayhawks, Wilco, and Uncle Tupelo. As millennial youth culture has seen that musical fad come and go, so has the Honeydogs.

Every band knows that there is always one thing that they can fall back on in order to make a successful album. That is the Beatles' influence factor. Seriously. Listen to some of the tracks off of Here's Luck and it becomes obvious. "Pins in Dolls," "Stonewall," and "Wilson Boulevard" all seem as though they should be found as B-sides on an album like Sgt. Pepper's.

Don't read too much into this theory, though; it was just noticeable on a few tracks. I also thought of Duncan Sheik's vocal sound as well as Lyle Lovett's zany lyrical choices. Their lyrical creativity and profound message is especially apparent (thick sarcasm) on the absurdly cruel final track, "Freakshow": "for a couple dollars you can see the freaks at the fair/ stand and laugh or you can just stare/ thank god my kids don't look like that/ freak show at the fair".

The Honeydogs have come a long way - getting out of the Midwest into the big top does take talent, but in order to set themselves apart from the other bands such as The Goo Goo Dolls and Matchbox 20, they have a long, long way to go.

Go Robot Go!, Wait Three DaysŠThen Attack!

For Fans of: Weezer, The Rentals

This is the band's most recent release, combining Devo-esque keyboards and a guitar sound reminiscent of Weezer. Go Robot, Go! returns with their fourth release in as many years.

Fortunately, Go Robot Go! has escaped the entrapments of many artists on the indie rock/college music scene by presenting an independent and adventurous sound with a hook that won't wear out.

With an onslaught of energy driven rock on this disc, Go Robot, Go! knows when to slow it down such as on track eight, "Semi-annual Sale." However, it doesn't last long as the rock gets back under way with "Neptune Head."

Go Robot, Go! isn't at the top on college rock yet, but this album hopefully won't be their last. Start with "The Kelly Affair" and "Yeah We Got It," and you can't go wrong.