Some Things

Let's make a sweeping, highly subjective generalization: Americans make the best rock & roll in the world (the Stones notwithstanding), and the Europeans have a lock on fizzy, upbeat, fuchsia-colored dance-pop. Think of Aqua, ABBA, Pet Shop Boys, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Erasure, and now, Lasgo. The Belgian trio follows a long line of studio-friendly outfits that stretch basic pop melodies and lyrics over a disco framework like so much Lycra. Anchored by male and female vocals, Lasgo trade in incessantly stoked electro-beats; songs like "Something" and "Alone" (both included on Some Things) recall that fabulous scene in Trainspotting when Diane and Renton fall hopelessly into the groove--and each other--under pulsing neon. Almost cartoonishly bright, Some Things is hopelessly, relentlessly up. Saturday night just got a new soundtrack. --Kim Hughes