** The Hippos

HEADS ARE GONNA ROLL

(Interscope)

Somewhere between pop-punk romantics Green Day and ska-punk pranksters NOFX, with a touch of Rentals new wave, the six young lads in the Hippos make feverish music that's a little misplaced: it's either lagging behind the most recent ska/punk revival or attempting yet another one. The lyrics aren't as challenging or wacky as NOFX's. They are, however, a perfect accompaniment to the happy, major-chord guitar-and-horn riffs that drive most of the album. The CD's surprises are the new-wave synths and relatively detailed arrangements -- the Hippos are up-tempo but take their time for intros and bridges, infusing it all with unabashedly '80s-sounding synths. The intent is hardly experimental, but it's appealing in its complete lack of pretense. Their romancing of radio music recalls the Buzzcocks, and the influence of their idols (like the Police) is pleasingly transparent. The Hippos may actually want to be a Green Day for the year 2000, but for now they're in no danger of being taken too seriously.

-- Nick Catucci

(The Hippos perform this Wednesday, November 24, upstairs at the Palladium in Worcester. Call 508-797-9696.)