Chasing 7

Chasing 7 knows how to talk to an angel, will go wherever you will be, and isn't afraid to ask, "What about breakfast at Tiffany's?" Critics will hate them for it. However, this Kansas City band's layered acoustics, warm riffs, driving rhythms and, above all, summer-anthem melodies should prove perfect for netting scads of beautiful, adoring fans. And we won't stand in their way. Chasing 7 won KMXV 93.3's battle for the opening slot of last weekend's Red, White & Boom pop festival, and it deserved its place alongside the likes of Top 40 heroes Gavin DeGraw and Lifehouse. Except for the production quality on this homespun release, Chasing 7's music is made for mainstream commercial radio -- all it needs is a slick Hollywood producer to give these 11 sweet songs the rootless, dramatic, pop-rock resonance of the Goo Goo Dolls and Maroon 5 (um, speaking of whose name ... ).

But before getting too refined, Chasing 7 might consider the market a bit. Mainstream charts have reflected a fading interest in bands who are safe enough for grandma but sexy enough for a backseat makeout sesh. Pop rap and American Idol's brand of R&B continue to dominate; and, with the rise of heavier acts such as Simple Plan and Good Charlotte, polished acoustic pop is better off putting on a cowboy hat and calling itself country -- or slapping a fish magnet on the touring van and hitting the Christian-rock festival circuit. C7 is too mainstream even for The OC's hit-making, twee-indie roster. Still, music this catchy is bound to find a home somewhere.