The Presidents

Just in time for the election, The Presidents of the United States of America were back, although the band is now known as The Presidents. More or less, the only thing that’s changed is the name. The songs on Freaked Out and Small (released in September) are still catchy little power-pop ditties chock-full of hooks that would love nothing more than to become classics. However, these tunes are derailed and relegated to novelty status by allegedly funny lyrics that are at best cute and at worst silly or just plain dumb.

Observe “Jazz Guy,” in which The Presidents proclaim they want to play black music for white people and solo ’til everyone in the room is bored. Or take a listen to the Star Wars-themed song “Death Star,” which makes a convincing case for banning such tunes, at least until Episode II hits theaters. The band comes maddeningly close to hitting the right pitch with its lyrics on the organ-driven “Last Girl on Earth,” but for the most part it scores brief laughs at the expense of selling some potentially great pop songs short.