Release MeDowntown ****

Unfortunately, a well-worked schtick can only get you so far, as well-connected Los Angeles retro-pop girl-band The Like found with their debut album, Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking?. Back then, it was the lack of any decent tunes that scuppered their otherwise well-constructed, bubblegum-pop bandwagon. This time around, though, amends have been made, harmonies have been fixed and choruses have been sharpened, resulting in an album that zings from start to finish. Mark Ronson has had a part to play in the proceedings, but his handiwork is only a paragraph in the story. The main reason for The Like's newfound appeal is that they now have near-perfect, catchy tunes, such as He's Not A Boy, Fair Game, the title track and Walk Of Shame, to go with their soulful 1960s pop shimmy. A hugely likable spikey, sassy pop rollercoaster. See myspace.com/thelike

Download tracks: He's Not A Boy, Fair Game, Release Me