Take the vocals of the Vines, stripped of their grungy edge; the Killers, lacking their hypnotic electronics; and Hot Hot Heat downgraded to lukewarm. Now, blend them together. The result? We Are Scientists.

Vocalist-guitarist Keith Murray’s voice is pleasing enough, Chris Cain can certainly strum his bass and Michael Tapper has rhythm bouncing off the drums. So how do three New York bachelors — all evidently talented — collectively produce a failed experiment? The answer’s not hard to deduce when their opening song’s most engaging lyrics are the profound, “If you want to use my body then go for it.” The album’s anticipated choruses, initially bewitching, turn into a freefall roller coaster cruising at a mere 30 mph, losing all momentum when the climax never comes. On the songs where that isn’t the case, the “profound” lyrics speak for themselves.

We Are Scientists need to step up to the plate and take a swing. Even if they strike out on one song, at least it would make the other ones look better. The album definitely has its appealing moments, but it plays it too safe. They have no distinctive melodies, their lyrics are as insightful as Britney Spears’, and unless they’re willing to flaunt some fake breasts, cuddling a couple of kittens on their album cover isn’t going to get them squat.