Babies Are for Petting

Following 2001's bold "Find Your Home" independent album, San Francisco's the Vue take baby steps toward their first major-label effort with this five-song EP. Featuring songs overseen in the studio by superstar producer Don Was, Davy Vain (namesake of '80s hair-metal also-rans Vain), and the band itself, the results are predictably heady. Tumbling psychedelic melodies crash against explosive punk riffs and nervous new wave rhythms, creating a sound uniquely endemic of a band that lists the Stooges, My Bloody Valentine, and Duran Duran among its influences, and considers skinny ties and khaki fedora hats the latest in high style. Hopefully more one-dimensional touring partners, like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and the White Stripes, took notes. This is the stuff that cults are formed around.