Fun. - Aim and Ignite

When I admit to new people I meet that I like The Format, I'm often met with laughs. What people don't understand though is that it was pretty much impossible to ignore the duo if you lived in Arizona at all during their Interventions and Lullabies heyday. Much to my guilty pleasure enjoyment, The Format broke up last year. Luckily, singer Nate Ruess has formed a new band with members of Anathallo and Steel Train called Fun. Actually, they write their name like this: "fun.," but I refuse to give in to incorrect grammar. Anyway, Fun's debut album, Aim and Ignite is due out next month. The ten-song affair plays out in the same theatrical vein that The Format's second album, Dog Problems, did. Sunny vocal harmonies kick Aim and Ignite off on "Be Calm," which almost sounds like a song from Broadway musical due to the way that Ruess anunciates each word in a rapidfire manner, as if he's running out of breath. "Benson Hedges" follows and doesn't do much to shy away from the theatrics either, with its bellowing gospel intro. If you're a big Format fan, you'll probably be able to overlook this ridiculousness, but it's definitely not recommended for those that can't handle their music with a large helping of cheesiness, bouncy melodies, and a singer that sounds like he's grinning as he sings. There are some great catchy tracks on Aim and Ignite though, so if you're in the market for something Fun (come on, that joke was waiting to be made), this album is definitely for you.

DOWNLOAD: Fun. - Aim And Ignite
Recommended Tracks: "Benson Hedges," "All The Pretty Girls," "Take Your Time (Coming Home)."