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Withtheir second album, Over and Over, The 88 refute the myth that art and thethree-and-a-half-minute pop song can't get along. While the new record sharesthe same rollicking spirit as its predecessor, Kind of Light, it also marks a leapforward for the Los Angeles-based quintet. The buoyant melodies and generaljollity that characterized album one infuse all 12 tracks of their sophomorerelease, only this time with an expanded sound, a result, no doubt, of thegroup's artistic growth and constant gigging. Since Light debuted in early2003, the band have been playing practically nonstop throughout their native L.A., with tour dates throughout the United States and Canada.

Once word of The 88's irrepressible harmonies and hopping pianos - not tomention Keith Slettedahl's warm, saturated strains - began to spread amongclub-goers, Light slowly found its way to radio DJs and rock critics. The bandbecame a staple on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic, a clearinghouse for risingindie rock outfits, world music composers and underground acts on the verge ofcrossing over into the mainstream. Ultimately, 12 of the album's 13 cuts madethe spin list at NPR's flagship station, opening the floodgates to movie andtelevision offers. Today, the group's TV resume includes segments on NBC'sExtra and ABC's The Jimmy Kimmel Show, though it's arguably their appearance onFox's hit series The O.C., whose soundtrack sales have now topped 300,000copies, that put the troupe on their younger fans' radar. Then, this year, thelive track ‘Coming Home,' which makes its studio debut on Over and Over, landeda plum spot in a nationally broadcast Target Commercial. Meantime, amid all thefanfare, The 88 quietly earned themselves a nod as L.A. Weekly's Best Pop/Rock outfitin the city.

With album-opener and first single ‘Hide Another Mistake,' The 88 flash thesame natural hook-writing chops that made Light's ‘Elbow Blues' and ‘How GoodIt Can Be' so addictive. Equally catchy are the breakup-survival anthem ‘BattleScar,' with its propulsive bass drumming and high-octane tambourines, and thetrack ‘Bowls,' which showcases producer Ethan Allen's sure-handed mixing. Butnowhere is The 88's ensemble spirit more evident than on ‘Everybody Loves Me,'which deftly weaves together the band's angularguitar licks, pummeling drum fills and Adam Merrin's frenetic piano arpeggioswith subtle backing vocals and Slettedahl's off-the-chart falsetto.

For all its up-tempo gusto, Over and Over has its quietly affecting moments aswell. On the plaintive ‘You Belong To Me,' the band scales back its usuallytextured arrangements to let Slettedahl's stark vocals stand alone, while‘Jesus Is Good' combines a languid accordion with sultry sevenths to invoke adirty, swampy burlesque. But it's arguably ‘All ‘Cause of You' that has grabbedthe most buzz among long-time 88 fans, many of whom have clamored for an albumversion of this concert showstopper. After playing the song live for a while,the band finally laid down the definitive recording with the help of producerAllen and the famed Village Recording Studio, which over the years has welcomedeveryone from Bob Dylan and Neil Young to The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd.

While The 88 have earned a reputation as first-rate musicians, they're alsorenowned for their tireless gigging, which has included performances alongsideElliott Smith, Dave Grohl and The Thrills. More importantly, they've won propsfor their easygoing nature and their grassroots marketing, which starts withtheir official site www.the88.net. There, fans can chat with the band members,meet other 88 devotees, post messages, and check concert dates. The group alsoposted three tracks on MySpace (www.myspace.com/the88) and recorded over 20,000requests for the single 'Hide Another Mistake' in a matter of seven short days.With the post-recording addition of drummer Anthony Zimmitti and bassist ToddO'Keefe, The 88 are hitting the road in support of the new record, and plan tocontinue posting work on MySpace so that loyal followers and newcomers alikemay see the band live & listen to the new material over and over.