Talk about truth in advertising - the new Keane is pretty much just that (keen) and an integral part of an imaginary '60s law firm Groovy, Bitchen, Neat-o and Keane. Or not. Their new one, their fourth is called "Strangeland" and it's on Interscope. Now way back at the beginning - back to the "Hey, let's start a band phase," it's important to have one person that can sing. Put a check in that category - Tom Chaplin has that perfect indie pop rock voice, showcased on songs that are invariably cleverly concocted and fully as dangerous as whistling in the backyard. "Sovereign Light Cafe" has the most hooks on this piano driven band - as in no guitars and no guitar solos.

The new by Yellow Ostrich album is "Strange Land" and it's on Barsuk Records. It's the creation of one Alex Shaaf, a Badger living in New York City, once doing the trippy one-man in the bedroom, trippy art rock thing. He's still doing that but now with a kick-ass band. Shaaf has a very special voice - warm and wonderful - singing screwball lyrics on several songs that have so many hooks, he could've been fishing with the Beatles. The first tune, "Elephant King," will draw you in. "Daughter" is a minor mindbender, then "Marathon Runner," begins with minimalist weirdness and then ends up as a baroque anthem. The most convincing and heart felt love lousey, blow you off tune will live long and prosper when ever someone gets tired of Miss Take or vice versa - it's all there on "I Got No Time For You." And so it goes. Shaaf knows what he's doing.