*** Poole

AMONG WHOM WE SHINE

(spinART)

For a band with such a sublimely simple sound, it's sure tough to keep track of the line-up changes that Harry and Harv Evans put Poole through. The newest wrinkle in the saga (which began when Harry left his day job drumming for the Lilys in '93 and formed Poole with guitar-playing older bro' Harv) is the addition of a new guitarist and bassist, with Harry returning to his original place behind the drum kit and . . . well, never mind. All you really need to know is that, like Boston's own Push Kings or the late, kinda lamented Posies, Poole are on a mission to create a poptopian universe for all, where cotton-candy skies rain gumdrops down on the heads of frolicking teenagers on their way to the, uh, pool party. On their third disc, the group very nearly succeed despite a noticeable lack of variety. The recipe for pop confection remains the same throughout: start with creamy harmonies ("Anyway"), add jangly guitars ("Feelin' Ill Tonight"), mix in a few tough licks for seasoning ("Sole Operator"), cover the whole thing with lush production (pick a tune, any tune), and stir. No sweetener needed. It's all sugar.

-- Jonathan Perry