Today's study entails the maladaptive effects of Pavlov's Theory of Classical Conditioning on a representative sample of college students ranging in age from 18-25. Over varied time intervals from today's study (anywhere from one to three years), students were each given a compact disc (Unconditioned Stimulus, or UCS) with "Polyvinyl", "Jade Tree" or "Merge" marked on the reverse side. After receiving either the "Jade Tree" or "Polyvinyl" UCS, the students were teased, mocked and bullyragged (Conditioned Stimulus, or CS) into disregarding their discs, and subsequently displayed feelings of antipathy toward them (Unconditioned Response). Conversely, when the students were given the disc marked "Merge", a CS reward of candy was attained. After ten implementations of this experiment, the CS was removed from the equation and the students were given only the compact disc labeled "Polyvinyl", "Jade Tree" or "Merge". Even without the CS, the students continued to react with disgust and disregard toward "Jade Tree" and "Polyvinyl" CDs, and when given the disc marked "Merge", the students demonstrated indomitable embrace.

No matter where your current musical taste resides, chances are you've been caught up in the emo backlash -- and as such, any positive review of AM/FM will instantly trigger cries of "Pffft, dude...they're on Polyvinyl". (Don't feel alone, I put off reviewing the CD based on the same assumption).

Truth be told, AM/FM aren't a bunch of sideburn-sporting guys not-so-patiently waiting to track some whiny vocals atop stolen riffs and ear-wrenching breakdowns. Rather, they're an entirely competent pop band with influences ranging from Guided By Voices and Superchunk to Elliot Smith.

"But they ain't no emo band -- they even cover the Beach Boys! Besides...you still have the first Rainer Maria album and that cutesy Braid shirt with the violins on it locked away in your closet."

Mutilate Us, the band's first proper full length, features sun-drenched acoustics, strong vocals and an unaffected knack for infectious hooks and melodies. Tracks like "Yours Recklessly" mesh competent country strumming with a Hammond organ and delectable boy-girl vocals. "You and Me at 53" takes a straight-up pop melody and funnels it through the band's idiosyncratic approach, creating a thoroughly modern and enjoyable song. AM/FM even toys with a popitized White Light/White Heat influence in the utterly cacophonous assault of "Success Rides With A Shiny White Line".

"Well fuck you, Mr. Know-It-All...and fuck Braid too!"

Seriously, give AM/FM a chance. They're worth it. If your friends give you shit about it, ask them if they've actually listened to the record. Chances are they haven't -- they're just fucking with your head. And you shouldn't let anyone get away with that.