The Melismatics

Minneapolis’ The Melismatics seem content to be a noisy, bouncy power-pop band; even on sadder numbers, the group’s playful songwriting and screechy guitars make it a good fit for small, cozy venues. Not that it doesn’t tend to sound like a polished update of The Replacements—but it’s fun enough to get away with such bald imitation. The Melismatics’ follow-up to 2006’s Turn It On EP, 2009’s The Acid Test, offers the simple yet undeniable pleasures of beer-friendly—if a bit too slick—Midwestern rock ’n’ roll. The crew’s LP MANIA! was released in January, and it has popped up on Jersey Shore and Punk’d.

Updated 05/09/2012