I've been through Eau Claire, Wisconsin many times. Almost every time, its four highway exits were passed as I either headed from Minneapolis toward the promised land of Chicago, or sped back to Minneapolis from Chicago in an attempt to escape the state's endless lack of visual stimulation as quickly as possible. But once or twice, I did take the Eau Claire exit for gas or a bite to eat, and found, as one might guess, that it's not a pretty place. Inbreds run aimlessly through the streets, slipping roofies to out- of- towners, tearing the heads off field rats on the city's dirty backroads, and threating to bomb Canada with a few molotov cocktails they prepared out back behind the shed.

Okay... the truth is, I know I've taken those fabled Eau Claire exits a few times, but I just don't remember what's there. I remember Janesville, Hudson, Menomenie, Black River Falls, Madison, Mauston, and most of those other cities along the stretch of 94/90 that eventually put you on the Illinois Tollway, but I'll be damned if I can't remember Eau Claire. A strange thing, too, because Eau Claire is one of Wisconsin's bigger cities. And even stranger because one of America's greatest unheard bands, the Buddyrevelles, reside there.

Now, just stop yourself. I know you're thinking what I thought when I picked this disc up for the first time: "What kind of band name is 'the Buddyrevelles'? They sound like your typical Eau Claire nightmares." But I encourage you to step past the band name-- imagine they're called something cooler like... oh, I don't know, the Pixies or something. There you go. Now, put the disc in the player. That's it... just like that. Now... yes, that's right... press the 'play' button... mmm...

Instant bliss. The soft, Tortoise- sounding guitar line flows into a simple but steady pop beat, and the most gentle of gentle vocalists, Aaron Grant, breathes: "All summer long/ We saved our pennies waiting for an/ Excuse to spend them at one time/ For a taste/ For a taste of something extra special." Ah! That's beautiful! As all of these lyrics are.

The band sounds like a cross between Chicago post-rock, the best Galaxie 500 material, and the hope of a better future. On September, November, these guys'll rock your house with just over an hour's worth of the sweetest, most hummable pop this side of perfection. And, oh! The lyrics! Man, this band'll melt your heart-- like they danced with your retarded cousin and went home bragging. So, doubters, let the Buddyrevelles be a lesson to you, and an amazing example of how some of this nation's most beautiful music goes ignored.

-Ryan Schreiber