Optimistic Fool

The Pooh Sticks are the perfect pop band. Forever young, vibrant, and fun, offering a virtual encyclopedia of the rock and roll era. Hue, the star lead singer, is a Welsh stud in the Tom Jones tradition with natural gifts for both pop melody and rock 'tude. Guitarist Paul picked up his endless repertoire of licks from the piles of LPs in his bedroom--everything from the MC5 to the Bay City Rollers, Alex Chilton to Todd Rundgren. Then there's the all-female rhythm section: Cool and quiet Alison on bass, tough and beautiful Stephanie on drums, and the sunny, sumptuous Trudi shaking out the beat on the tambourine (and plunking keys when necessary).

If you've never seen any of Hue's back-up Pooh Sticks in the same room at the same time as the band's multi-talented producer/ songwriter Steve Gregory, you may start to wonder whether this cartoon wonderband really exists. Rest assured they do: The Pooh Sticks' spirit soars through their third American release, Optimistic Fool. Though the record isn't nearly as fun as 1991's Great White Wonder or '93's Million Seller, Optimistic Fool ably continues the backwards trek through the heart of classic sugarpop and candyrock. The guitars crunch, the harmonies hit the spot--even the handclaps are just right. And if pop is ever to be as bright and shiny as it once was, you too must believe in the existence of the Pooh Sticks. --Roni Sarig