For those who find the nasal vocals of Third Eye Blind and alternative music aggravating, you may want to bypass Neve's self-titled debut album.
But for those who enjoy comparatively original lyrics, talented musicians and an all-around fun listening experience, Neve may be just what you've been waiting for.
The album, due out June 13, includes the hit single, "It's Over Now," from teen horror picture "The Faculty." Their single was also on the soundtrack with big name bands like The Offspring and Garbage.
After that, the band had the auspicious experience of being heard by a program director at KROQ, a national alternative radio station based in Southern California. "It's Over Now" subsequently made it to Billboard's Top 30 chart.
The success of Neve is very surprising, considering the band's four members (guitarist Michael Raphael, vocalist John Stephens, bassist Tommy Gruber and drummer Brian Burwell) only got together in the summer of 1997.
On songs like "Digital On," the importance of individuality and respect for one's self comes through in the words, "I will do what I like/And you cannot see what's right/And you won't change my mind."
"Absent" and "Three Years" describe relationships, love and the intricacies involved in handling them.
"Skyfall," "Trip and Glide" and "Anything" manage to be upbeat without going too far on the pop side. That ability allows them to stand slightly apart from other bands who try too hard to shove themselves into the teen pop music genre.
"It sounds funny to say," guitarist Michael Raphael said in the promotional advertising sheet, "here's a band that concentrates on their music - it's like, wow, what a concept." He went on to say, "But these days, a lot of bands seem more concerned with having the right haircut than writing a decent hook. Haircuts eventually go out of style. Good songs have the potential to be timeless."
While Neve's first album most likely will not become timeless, the band definitely has the potential to write lasting music, and make a lasting impression on the listeners. At the very least, their songs may become the ones that get stuck in your head for three days straight.
Neve will be performing tonight, at San Francisco's Hard Rock Cafe. The show is for all ages and is free.