'Best College Band' soars with debut

What more did Pseudopod need to do to prove themselves? They've toured extensively since 1998, pausing to earn their college degrees and to win the title of "Best College Band In America," as named by Rolling Stone and iuma.com. But to say they'd reached their pinnacle would be pure self delusion.\nThe band used the prize money from the contest to record its second self-produced album, Rest Assured, which got sent to Interscope Records, which promptly signed the band to a contract. That business relationship has allowed Pseudopod to create an album worthy of a spot on any self-respecting college-radio programmer's playlist.\nIn its self-titled, major-label debut, this four-man band merges the best elements of pop and rock with the freedom and groove of jazz to create an ear-catching blend. The album, produced by Paul Ebersold (Three Doors Down), sounds like a combination of the instrumentation of Dave Matthews Band with the vocal sound of Sister Hazel. Be warned, unsuspecting readers: Pseudopod is filled with hooks that sink into your brain and leave you helplessly pushing repeat.\nI am particularly impressed with artists who can blend a great pop sound with solid and intriguing lyrics. I am pleased to say that Pseudopod is one of the best lyrical albums I've heard this year. "These words to you won't change your world," sings Kevin Carlberg in "Music Maker." But he also touches on the creativity involved in songwriting in "Ordinary Man": "I'm a dreamer, superhero, I'm an ordinary man / I will speak above the clatter till my voice is the only sound."\nYou can hear through the music that these guys love what they do, and interestingly enough, Carlberg speaks in "Intentions" of the group being around for the long haul: "It's gonna take a little more than good intentions to break me." If this debut album is any indication, I'd say he's right on the money.