Coda.fm

Insomniatic

by Aly & AJ

• Listen to a preview now
• Buy it at Amazon.com

Teen titans Aly & AJ don't sound like Heart, the powerhouse sister act whose hall-of-famer footsteps they hope to follow in, but it doesn't feel like an exaggeration to say they have as much talent. With their flowing blond hair, cool clothes, and gift for hitting the hype machine at just the right fame-boosting angles, they could easily carve out a career on somebody else's lyrics and a lame-o delivery. But the sisters Michalka have a lot more integrity than that: If Insomniatic, goes to show the pop-buying world anything, it's that not all youth-targeted acts deserve their featherweight reputations. The title track rocks hard, "Bullseye" borrows a Replacements vibe, and opener "Potential Breakup Song" pumps in pleasingly synth-y rhythms and sweet-heat attitude. Slighter tracks, including "Silence" and "I'm Here," showcase a sympathetic ear for teenage romantic tribulations, but overall Insomniatic is not for the drowsy--Aly & AJ are doing musical No-Doz for a new generation, and they're doing it right. I>--Tammy La Gorce