The cute band with the cool sound is here to stay

You've got to be a strong man to name your band Mittens -- as in, rhymes with kittens. Clearly, the three lads in this up-and-coming Boston outfit are supremely comfortable with their masculinity.

''We're very close," says singer-guitarist Andy Brooks, who, on this particular Sunday afternoon, is hanging out with his girlfriend in his Jamaica Plain apartment. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

''We're all the best of friends, but I know we're constantly fighting [people's assumptions]. I like messing with that idea, especially in the macho rock world where if you take a photo and put your arm around your buddy it's a big no-no. Our name is ridiculous, so we have a lot working against us. Not that we're Wham! or anything, but there are a lot of haters out there."

You wouldn't know it judging by the attention and acclaim that's been showered on the local trio (which also includes singer-guitarist Tom Novotny and drummer Nick Buni) like confetti since the band's sunshine-dappled self-titled debut came seemingly out of nowhere a couple of years back. Last spring, Mittens took top honors in the Boston Phoenix annual music poll as best local act. And the group's new album, ''Fools on a Holiday," which comes out tomorrow to coincide with Saturday night's CD-release party at T.T. the Bear's Place, proves the cute band with the cool sound wasn't a fluke.

Suffice it to say, the band's not destined to relinquish its spot at the head of the Boston pop parade anytime soon. If anything, it's become even better at bundling breezy hooks and crisp vocal harmonies inside the kind of melodic jangle that rides on a generational crosscurrent of the Kinks, Jonathan Richman, Papas Fritas, and Brendan Benson. Songs such as ''Leeway," ''Baby Don't Know," or the title track, for example, are as crisply concise as anything Mittens has ever done but sound somehow roomier, more spacious than the compressed kicks of the band's debut. It's as if ''Fools on a Holiday" were a big, sunny living room with its windows thrown open wide.

''I think we're certainly more confident as a band, and we know what we're all capable of doing," says Brooks, who grew up with Novotny in Phoenix and moved here to attend Boston University in 1993. (Novotny later joined him, and the pair met future drummer Buni at a party.) ''Instead of shooting for something, it just comes together." That, he says, is probably the most dramatic development in the band as a recording and performing unit. The self-assurance that naturally comes from logging years and gigs together has freed the band up to explore the kinds of ideas and flourishes (generous helpings of piano, horns) that make the new disc such a keenly clever triumph.

''I think two years ago, for a track to make the cut as a Mittens song, it had to have that bouncy whatever," says Brooks. ''But now, we've stepped back from that 'Mittens stamp' and have more of an approach that it's OK to bring whatever you want to bring, if it works."

Dan Shea runs Bodies of Water Arts and Crafts, the Allston-based indie label he cofounded with David Conway, a pal from junior high school, in 2004. Shea, whose imprint is issuing ''Fools on a Holiday," says he's been a Mittens fan ''for years and years" and wanted to release the band's debut album a couple of years ago. Trouble was, he had no money, and Mittens went with Boston's Man With a Gun Records instead. This time was different.

''These guys are one of those special bands that have broad appeal," says Shea. ''We just want to find a home for good music and get as many people to listen as possible. [Mittens] have a classic pop sensibility. There's no braggadocio. It's just simple pop songs, but wonderfully written."

For ''Fools on a Holiday," Mittens again enlisted producer Pete Weiss (who produced the band's debut) at his Vermont studio. Brooks admits the group put more pressure on itself this time around.

''Definitely, because there's this weird stage that you realize that people like the band and they're wanting to hear something else," Brooks says. ''And not only do they want to hear something else, but they're going to be listening more intently, so it made us a little bit more self-conscious. But that's something you just have to get over, and I think we are getting over that."

Mittens isn't sure what the new disc's title refers to, exactly, but it appears to cheekily capture the band's outlook. ''The holiday for me represents being in a band or having a relationship," Brooks says. ''It's futile in a way, but at the same time it's enjoyable, giving yourself over to it. For us to put four years of our lives into this band, and all the money and time we've spent, it's kind of crazy. We could all have master's degrees by now."

Devo redux: The bizarre flowerpot hats were a dead giveaway that Devo was not your average new wave band. The ''Whip It" video sealed the deal. So it shouldn't come as a big surprise that when it came time to record a new album, the favorite crackpots of Akron, Ohio, weren't mundane enough to simply flog the old hits. ''Devo 2.0," which just came out as both a CD and DVD on Disney Sound, takes the notion of making music for a new generation of fans to a whole new level. ''Devo 2.0" boasts the original band members plus five kids, ages 10 to 14, who contribute vocals to 10 newly recorded Devo hits and two new songs. Devo is sending its proteges, who go by the name Devo 2.0, on a 10-date tour of middle, junior high, and high schools that plays Hartford on Tuesday. Devo 2.0 features lead singer Nicole (likes dancing, swimming, Gwen Stefani, Kelly Clarkson); guitarist Nathan (likes the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, and online Scrabble); drummer Kane (likes Josh Freese, the Mars Volta, and ''drums, drums, drums"); keyboardist Jackie (likes Chopin, singing, and chocolate); and bassist Michael (likes martial arts and the Devo song ''Cyclops"). No word on whether the kids will be brandishing whips.

Bits & pieces: Tonight J. Mascis is back behind the drums at the Abbey Lounge with Witch, his '70s-style stoner-metal outfit that also features pal Dave Sweetapple and members of the avant-folk collective Feathers. The 21-piece Esquivel Orchestrotica is at the Jorge Hernandez Cultural Center. Scissorfight celebrates the release of its new CD, ''Jaggernaut," at the Middle East Downstairs with a bill of local heavies including Antler, Cocked 'N' Loaded, and Hot Rod Fury. Tomorrow Speaking of local hard-rock heroes, let's give Lamont a warm welcome home at the Linwood. The 12th annual Battle of the High School Bands commences at Harpers Ferry. Over at Great Scott, Big Bear, Part Chimp, and the Cops are in the house. Sunday The Gossip is at the Middle East Downstairs. Monday The Magnolia Electric Co. is at the Middle East Downstairs with Destroyer. Tuesday The Hunger Mountain Boys bring bluegrass to Johnny D's. Wednesday Lovewhip is at P.A.'s Lounge. Kelley Stoltz is at Great Scott. Ex-Refreshments (also known as the guys behind the ''King of the Hill" theme) songwriter Roger Clyne brings his Peacemakers to Harpers Ferry. I Love You but I've Chosen Darkness is at T.T. the Bear's. Scott Niblett is at the Middle East Upstairs. Thursday The Rudds are at Great Scott.