Moonbabies
Moonbabies At The Ballroom (Hidden Agenda)

At the Ballroom marks the fourth album from Swedish indie pop duo Moonbabies (full disclosure: I haven’t heard albums #1-3). This male/female pair creates atmospheric, melodic soundscapes awash in tinkly keyboards and acoustic guitars, an effect best displayed on the must-downloads “War On Sound” and “Take Me To The Ballroom”. Their music mostly takes its cues from the early ’90s shoegazer bands (especially on “Cocobelle”), but their distinct lack of edginess makes the group a My Bloody Valentine for kids who weren’t yet born when Loveless came out. Not that they’re immune from other influences; I can appreciate how they lifted the guitar riff from The Crystals’ “Then He Kissed Me” for “Shout It Out”, but otherwise it’s a pretty boring song. Overall, the album might be something useful to have on the iPod while sipping a Starbucks Orange Créme Frapuccino® — a pleasant diversion smothered in its own sense of faux hipness.

Moonbabies at the Ballroom releases today. Download at eMusic or buy the album at Amazon.com.

• The Moonbabies | Take Me to the Ballroom