Columbia

When “Talk A Walk,” the first single from Passion Pit’s sophomore effort, was released online earlier this year, the response was massive. The New York group, led by singer/keyboardist Michael Angelakos, has found a significant audience with its boisterous electro-pop, which first appeared on 2009’s Manners. While that single is certainly catchy and infused with sticky, sweet hooks, the band feels almost overly pop on this new disc. The tracks bounce and prance, particularly on bounding “Carried Away” and sparkling “Love Is Greed.” Even the slower numbers feel sugary – “Cry Like a Ghost” is full of frolic when it seems to be meant as a pensive tune. The album is one those things that you really want to like – and which should be likeable – but it leaves the same lingering ache that a cavity leaves in your tooth. Unless, of course, this is Passion Pit’s dramatic play for entry into the Hot 100 chart.