California- based band The Tyde's newly-launched Three's Co. wipes out

Orange County indie rockers The Tyde recently released their newest album on Rough Trade. Three's Co. is pure, unabashed surf rock-not in the restrained, acoustic, Jack Johnson way, but instead in that bubblegum, happy-go-lucky, Beach Boys way.

Three's Co. is the successor to the band's first two records, One and Two. The Tyde is fronted by brothers Darren and Brent Rademaker. Together with Darren's wife, Ann Do Rademaker, Ben Knight and Ric Menck, the group has compiled an album chock-full of tunes designed to stretch summer from Labor Day on to the next May.

Maybe it is because I am from Georgia, or maybe it is due to the fact that I do not particularly like the beach (the sand gets everywhere, the pesky seagulls steal your lunch), but, for whatever reason, I just could not get into the album.

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with surfers. Unfortunately, their music is like marshmallows: they are puffy and sweet, but ultimately they are lacking in substance. Take the opener, "Do It Again Again," for example. It is a catchy, up-tempo pop song where Darren repeats, "Do It Again, Again."

Sure, for an opening line, that sounds fine. But that's where the lyrical genius ends. I could only sit there thinking, "Ok, good start, but where are the chocolate and graham crackers?"

The same can be said for most of the album, especially "Brock Landers". Under Strokes-style vocal distortion Darren sings, "To the critics/Jealousy will get you nowhere." It is good that I am not jealous, then.

Some of the tracks, however, do offer a bit more interesting material. For example, "Separate Cars" takes a decidedly more introspective look with the lines, "I've kept every promise/I put extra step into my stride to be/Clear in your eyes."

For this track, a synthesizer and piano combine with Lennon-esque vocals to create a very different sound that's markedly unique from its albummates.

Another standout song, "County Line", offers a two-minute boogie-woogie with harmonies straight from the Beach Boys and piano playing that even Little Richard could appreciate.

Outside of these few tracks, though, there just is not that much in the album. Those shiny guitars and ocean references can only get the group so far.

This album could be summed up in one track, "Ltd. Appeal." Some people are going to like this album, but for those of us on the East Coast who cannot tell a surf board from drift wood, it may be best to leave this one alone.