Cute Is What We Aim For

Cute Is What We Aim For is likely the perfect 21st-century pop band. Almost purpose built for short-attention-span marketing campaigns, the four gents in CIWWAF focus so heavily on pop sheen, hooks, and scenester touchstones that it's often difficult to figure out just what the sum of the parts is. Then again, for a generation of kids growing up with YouTube clips instead of movies, iTunes tracks instead of albums, and text messaging instead of letter writing, a band that plays like a highlight reel is just what the doctor ordered. They're signed to Fueled by Ramen, so you know automatically that you're getting pop tailor-made for the 25-and-under crowd. You can complain about that if you want, but it's actually an interesting throwback to the hitmaker days of the '60s, when bands could find favor by assimilating bits and pieces of whatever was trendy at the time, never really fleshing out a sound of their own. That's what you're getting here. If you know that ahead of time and still choose to show up, this band will keep you well entertained. Take a photo for your MySpace page while you're at it.