By Mark Jenkins

Friday, June 28 1996; Page N15
The Washington Post

THERE ARE a few wistful moments on Magnapop's "Rubbing Doesn't Help," but mostly this Atlanta band delivers what its name suggests: big tuneful songs. The increased vocal interplay between lead singer Linda Hopper (formerly of Oh-OK, Buzz of Delight and the D.C.-based Holiday) and guitarist Ruthie Morris provides an added folkiness this time, but the quartet frequently sounds like Husker Du with two female singers (and Bob Mould did produce its previous album). With the opening "This Family" proclaiming that "this family's going to heaven," the album also recalls the Pixies (who once made a similar announcement about a monkey).

Produced by L.A. punk elder Geza X, "Rubbing" is not a dramatic overhaul of the band's style, yet it sounds newly bold and urgent. Perhaps that's because these upbeat songs have somber undercurrents: "Open the Door" and "Dead Letter" are about friends who died young, and "This Family" also explains that "this family's going to hell." That tension between heaven and hell stokes the album's best songs, giving Magnapop more than the average power pop punch.

MAGNAPOP -- "Rubbing Doesn't Help" (Priority). To hear a free Sound Bite from this album, call Post-Haste at 202/334-9000 and press 8107. (Prince William residents, call 690-4110.) Appearing Tuesday at the 9:30 club with Tripl3fastaction and The Figgs.