''Bottle Rockets'' (1997)

There is no doubt this quintet's from Seattle. The singer of The Cunninghams snarls with angst and snotty indifference, while name-checking Hot Wheels, Bubblicious, and the significant years 1975 and 1976. The guitars crank through a mutated Sex Pistols-meet-Nirvana riff, halfway between punk and pop. The harmonies and hook tilt the balance in pop's favor — and lift ''Bottle Rockets'' above the standard issue grunge. B+