New Radicals don't sound particularly new or all that radical, for that matter, but they sure are catchy as hell. The group represents a new, improved identity for one Gregg Alexander, a fellow who had a forgettable debut album with A&M Records in 1989 – I know because I've forgotten it entirely, Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too won't disappear from consciousness so easily. Alexander has come into his own in a big way on the wildly infectious and intermittently deep-thinking Brainwashed, a song-cycle manifesto that's one of 1998's most pleasant surprises.

The hit "You Get What You Give" is melt-in-your-mouth ear candy, vaguely reminiscent of the opinionated power pop of the woefully underattended World Party, but with a passionate oddball bounce all its own. Graced by Alexander's Jaggeresque vocal, the song also features an apparent put-down of Courtney Love, Marilyn Manson and – egad – Beck. This, along with an apparent anti-anti-drug stance, is the closest thing to a real radical move on Brainwashed. For once in an age of disappointing, post-alterna one-hit wonders, there's more where that came from here, including the drop-dead-gorgeous "Someday We'll Know," the slowburning "I Hope I Didn't Just Give Away the Ending" and the unforgettably titled "Jehovah Made This Whole Joint for You." If you indeed get what you give, Alexander stands to score big time. (RS 801)

DAVID WILD