Were it not for the limited vocabulary of America's youth, naming your band "Jejune" could be a dangerous and limiting manuever. But that's okay. Most teenagers who listen to guitar rock will think they got the name from the Porky Pig Speak 'N' Stutter Calender. Fortunately, despite their languid pace and shoegazing tendencies, Jejune aren't necessarily jejune. Sprinkled throughout the 12 sprawling tunes are enough noisy solos, crunching chords, sculpted feedback, and pop elements to energize the lachrymose lyrics and repeated themes of ennui, dreams, crushes and wished kisses. On average it takes approximately 2.6 seconds for a syllable to be sung. You know, typical emo- indie- shoegazer stuff.

Not to take anything from the kids in Jejune, but the hidden savior of this record might be producer Ted Leo, once of the magnificent D.C. pop trio, Chisel. He also lends supporting guitar. As a result, the sound is direct and crisp, and some of the solos and choruses are so full out R-O-C-K. Leo's presence is felt and propels This Afternoon's Malady past being just another "loud and pretty" indie record.

Fans of epic Built To Spill songs and wusses- behind- walls- of- guitar Britrock (y'know-- like the Pale Saints and Ride) should put this on their list. Or, if you have a love poetry assignment for a tenth grade English class, sit and copy lyrics like "The clock stops as she goes by/ Everyone reaches for her/ Her eyes hold the divine/ Her light fills the dark mind/ Nowhere." If you just winced at those lyrics, don't worry-- they're incomprehensible, blocked with harmonious sighs and buried under distortion.

-Brent DiCrescenzo