Have you heard Maroon 5, Train, Five for Fighting, or Howie Day on your radio lately? Of course you have. They’re all part of that currently popular, radio-friendly, inoffensive genre called...

Okay, I don’t know what that genre is called. Let’s call it the “Maroon 5, Train, Five for Fighting, Howie Day” genre.

Whatever you want to call it, if you’re like me, and shun pop radio in favor of indie artists and obscure music, then the band Jump is someone you’re not going to be interested in. But if you’re really like me, and secretly dig these radio-friendly, inoffensive artists (while putting on a front of not paying attention to pop radio), then Jump will fit right into your musical rotation.

Look, I can’t help it. That Train tune (something about Jupiter’s rings or something), and that Maroon 5 song (something about having difficulty breathing or something), are just too damn catchy and I find myself enjoying them. Shoot me.

So, out of North Carolina comes a band called Jump. Actually, they’re called Jump (Little Children), which is an attempt to shorten their name without losing the connection to their previous name (or their fan base). I’m sure their next album will see them lose the “(Little Children)” portion altogether.

This is straight up power pop – music with big sound and bold melodies, solid and unwavering song structure, and perfect production values. Unfortunately, this translates into “very little experimentation.” But hey, if you want to work at enjoying your music, go pick up the latest Jeff Buckley unreleased studio sessions. This is for those that want to enjoy their music on the first try.

Although I categorize Between the Dim and the Dark as power pop and lump the band into the Maroon 5 and Train genre, this is my first exposure to them and don’t know what their previous two releases sounded like. For me, the reasons for enjoying it rest on lead singer Jay Clifford’s effortless, yet commanding vocals – as well as a multi-layered style of music that includes lots of backing strings.

The title cut “Dim and the Dark” is kind of like hitting a big jackpot on your first pull of the slot machine. The rest of the night will only yield disappointment. On this song, Clifford’s voice croons out the catchy title phrase while a rock steady rhythm, harmonizing background vocals, and beautifully sweet strings pull everything together.

From there, the rest of the album struggles to top its opening song – coming close on “Rains in Asia” with a nice acoustic guitar sound and interesting lyrics. While “Education” creates an actual groove with hints of funk and blues.

Jump has all the makings of your next radio-friendly pop stars, that us music snobs will shun and deny recognition. But here’s something that might help if you’re struggling with the decision to purchase Between the Dim and The Dark – Jump are currently on Brash Music, an independent label. That should help your image.