THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Quick With The Lashes

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Every bank from Seattle doesn't mope. The Lashes, who hail from that same rainy city, play music that's snappy, bright, even starry-eyed.

Call them the anti-Nirvana.

All of The Lashes' songs sticks to the quick and peppy length of vintage garage-rock. Only one drags on for more than 3 minutes, and that ditty dares go only 4:05.

Still, the band lacks the anger or angst of classic garage. They fall closer to late '70's power pop of Cheap Trick, The Cars or The Shoes.

The six-man band formed in early 2000, but didn't solidify the final linup - or put out a notable EP - until 2004's "The Stupid Stupid."

Their full-length debut benefits from the boyis voice of Ben Clark, which dovetails well with the band's innocent lyrics. Avoiding anger, lewdness or even great yearning, the Lashes songs take a dewy-eyed view of romance, even when it's a function of repression or fantasy.

In other words, no one will mistake The Lashes for the most substantial band in the land. But their debut proves hooky, buzzy and best of all, consistent.