Fun.

The Format was a great band. Two criminally underrated albums after initial buzz and they called it quits.

But the force and spirit - and voice - of the band is still alive and well.

Nate Reuss (forgive the possible misspelling) has already generated more anticipation and acclaim with fun than he was ever really able to muster up with The Format - and he really didn't change much.

Fun, like The Format before them , is really a classic pop band. They channel the bands that thought pop was just an extension of classic music theory - not a seperate entity or bastardization. There are shades of ELO, Elton John and Queen. In short - it is refreshing, positive and upbeat anthemage.

Try on songs like "barlights" and "walking the dog", then stop and appreciate the songwriting behind tunes like the ballad "the gambler."