If you ever upload a search engine with the intent to fish for information about Eva Trout, a great many resources for latter- day Ernest Hemingways will surely be among your findings. Coincidentally enough, the band also shares their handle with the title character of a certain Elizabeth Bowen novel, which may or may not winnow its way into your search results. But whether or not links for the Australian sextet-- which recently taped an appearance on VH-1's "The Score"-- appear depends on the capability and efficiency of your search engine. If you experience technical difficulties, however, then check out the outfit's eponymous release in a more conventional manner: a jaunt to the record store nearest you. That means logging off. That means selecting the 'Shut Down' operation from your computer's toolbar. And yes, that means physically leaving your house, and, like, going outside. Why are you looking at me like that?

Eva Trout marks the band's debut on Trauma Records (the label responsible for launching the platinum- laden careers of the power couple of the ever- annoying Gwen Stefani and poseur du jour Gavin Rossdale.) Lead vocalist Bek-Jean Stewart sings tuneful tales of longing, loss and lust in a wistful voice accented with a fetching vibrato. The strong rapport between the band members is clearly evident throughout the album, which consists of 13 tracks' worth of buoyant melodies evocative of Letters to Cleo. The resonating mandolins, accordions, and a trilling Celtic harp mesh well with the omnipresent jangly guitars and sprightly harmonies.

While some of the lyrics border on the pretentious, tart tidbits like "You're smugger than a virgin bride/ you wayward child/ you're in your happy pantomime" help offset their sweetness. That said, will Eva Trout make a splash in the waters of the American music pool? Go fish.

-Susan Moll