The breakaway star so far is "Suburban Girl," a Hüsker Dü-flavored tribute to cute girls stuck in box houses, which earned airplay on Cleveland's commercial alternative WMMS after it won a listener-call-in contest five nights in a row. But the track in more imminent danger of winning over unsuspecting listeners is Gillard's "Your Heroes Hate You," a hypercatchy, harmonic rockabilly ditty that's more of a novelty than a representative single. In general, the Gillard-penned tracks tend toward more distortion and swingy hooks; Tobias's contributions take more risks with vocal harmonies and exposed guitars. What's consistent here is Gem's ability to take accessible pop songs to unanticipated climaxes.

-- Mary Chen