In Spinal Tap mythology, there's a fine line between clever and stupidity, and few artists have successfully been able to straddle that fine line.

Those who've succeeded? "Weird Al" Yankovic, Primus, Ween, Presidents of the United States of America and Aqua.

The Bloodhound Gang? Close but no cigar. But hey, at least they admit on one aptly named song title, This Is Stupid.

There's enough pretty raunchy stuff here from this Philadelphia boy band that somehow passes muster as likable pop for the naive. First single Bad Touch -- with its notorious line "Let's do it like they do it on the Discovery Channel" -- certainly doesn't make any reference to Broadcasting For Dummies. And no other explanation is necessary for The Inevitable Return of the Great White Dope or A Lap Dance is Better When the Stripper is Crying.

More subtle is Along Comes Mary, the old Association hit from the late 1960s which has been misconstrued as a tune with, shall we say 'substance.' (Aw, it doesn't matter -- the kids won't get it anyway.)

Musically, the gang's blend of alt-rock, hip-hop, funk, metal, country and cheesy dance might appeal to those whose giddiness factor rivals Beavis and Butthead's "Huh-huh, huh-huh-huh" meanderings.

Guess one has to be a suburbanite teen to get it. Me? I'll go refresh myself with clever Simpsons, witty Monty Python and smart-ass Ben Folds Five discs.

Buzz is being generated over this from-out-of-nowhere 31-year-old West Coast singer-songwriter, in Ottawa recently on a promo trip and returning for a Tulip Festival spot May 22.

Track Listing 1.I Hope You Die
  02.The Inevitable Return Of The Great White Dope
  03.Mama's Boy
  04.Three Point One Four
  05.Mope
  06.Yummy Down On This
  07.The Ballad Of Chasey Lain
  08.RSVP
  09.Magna Cum Nada
  10.The Bad Touch
  11.That Cough Came With A Prize
  12.Take The Long Way Home
  13.Hell Yeah
  14.Right Turn Klyde
  15.This Is Stupid
  16.A Lap Dance Is So Much Better When The Stripper Is Crying
  17.10 Coolest Things About New Jersey
  18.Along Comes Mary