Husband and wife indie rock bands are hardly a novelty these days; the scene is peppered with roving marital units, each one staking claim to the notion that their legal union adds an unnameable moxie to their musical union. The Rosebuds' Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp definitely fall under this category, but unlike many of their peers (Mates of State and The Like Young come to mind), their partners-in-life/partners-in-music shtick never seems like gimmicky press kit fodder. Birds Make Good Neighbors is a brave, cynicism-free expression of love that never feels overly cute or uncomfortably voyeuristic (Parker and Lily, take note). Every note drips with an infectious enthusiasm, suggesting that these kids really love playing pop songs, and that they're lucky as all hell to be doing it with one another. These are love songs destined for indie purgatory -- the emotions are too real for corporate radio, the hooks too poppy for Indie 103.

Howard, who handles most of the vocal duties, is not afraid of grandiose expressions of gooey pop giddiness. His songs are littered with "woo woo"s, "ba ba ba"s, and "whoa"s, and he treats each of these with as much care as he does any of his lyrics. The angelic "ooh whoo" segments of the dreamy "Blue Bird" must account for more than half of the song. If that seems excessive, think again; these moments, like the softer-than-terrycloth guitar line, speak volumes more about a full heart than any lyric ever could.

Rest assured, though, that Birds Make Good Neighbors isn't all hugs and cuddles. Howard's straightforward sense of fun is sometimes reminiscent of Material Issue's Jim Ellison -- "The Lover's Rights"' shuffle-bounce has to be the second coming of "Valerie Loves Me". If that's not enough pop for you, the jangly acoustic snap and call-and-response vocal work in "Shake Our Tree" are almost enough to make you clap along, even if you're alone.

There will no doubt be haters lurking in the shadows of the ever cynical and sarcastic music scene, scoffing at The Rosebuds' milky pop and unabashed happiness. They are clearly unhappy people. Only a miserable person wouldn't be touched by lyrics like these, from "Warm Where You Lay": "Remembered that first night, our knees fit just right / And I knew that from that day I would always save a place for the warm where you lay."