by Steve Kurutz 　　 　　Not since Toad the Wet Sprocket has a band had so much pop potential with such a horrid name. But, if you can get past Gay Dad's ridiculous moniker, an album of intelligent, guilt-free pop pleasure awaits you with Leisure Noise. The hooks of the first single, "To Earth With Love," are just the tip of the iceberg. Taking a familiar formula (the swaggar of 70s glam rock combined with space-age guitars) the group is remiscent of fellow brit rock bands like Ride and Swervedriver, but instead of burying the melodies and lyrics behind a thick wall of sound, Gay Dad's vocal hooks are unabashedly pushed to the fore. With a former Mojo contributer in their ranks, it's obvious the group knows their rock history. The brilliant "Oh Jim" is a textbook power ballad and "Dimstar" and "My Son Mystic, " both songs containing soaring, shimmering guitars, are a lesson for aspiring songwriter's wanting to explore dynamics and tension.