Fluf is San Diego's premier hard pop band. No, not power pop; leave that to Green Day. You won't find Fluf covering old Kinks songs on movie soundtracks. Fluf knows how to pull back, throttle up, and party down. Occasionally, you'll even get some emotion. That be the way it is.

Waikiki is Fluf's major label debut and a bit of a disappointment. After a couple of great indie releases on Headhunter Records (Mangravy, Home Improvements) and a b-sides collection (The Classic Years), the formula has gotten a bit tired. In fact, it still surfs on the edge of the grunge heyday tip.

So why Waikiki? First off, frontman O. (short for Otis) has a husky but tender voice that sulks down to notes that are too low for him to sing before shooting back up to high, volcanic wails. Secondly, these guys are tight. Most importantly, you can still rock out and sing along. After a couple of listens to Waikiki, half the songs will be running through your head like there's no tomorrow. Rock on!

-Jason Josephes