Billboard

Sept. 24, 2005

NOW HEAR THIS

YOUR GUIDE TO UNSIGNED BANDS

>>>THE 88

Power-pop act the 88 has won rave reviews from LA Weekly to Rolling Stone, and earned national exposure on the Sept. 8 season premiere of Fox's "The OC," which highlighted its album "Over and Over," due Sept. 20. The act's sophmore effort - released on a friend's label, EMK Records - is a glorious collection of '60s-inspired, with hooks packed into nearly each of its 45 minutes. But behind the peppy piano-driven melodies are the sincere and mature lyrics of Keith Slettedahl. "I'm feeling older than a younger man should," he shouts on "Hide Another Mistake." With sold-out shows in Los Angeles, plenty are listening. - Todd Martens