Popular '80s rock band Huey Lewis & the News noted in one of their classic songs that it was “Hip to Be Square.” The anthem appealed to the many yuppies and baby boomers who then proceeded to buy millions of the band's albums making Lewis and crew a popular household name during the hallowed decade.

Twenty years later the classic saying is still around though as with anything tried and true, a few minor changes have come along. And as we say goodbye to 2006, a musical year that told us that it was OK to bring sexy back, why not start of 2007 properly and do a little bit reinvention and say that to be a hipster you've got to be a square.

A statement so true, that it is firmly rooted within an up-and-coming Los Angeles rock band. Say hello to the Squares.

It was pair of pants that gave rise to the Squares, specifically Pants Optional – a piano-rock band, which disbanded in May, 2004. The remaining members of that once outfit, sans pants or not, were Shaun Hettinger (vocals, keyboards, bass synthesizer), Jeff Wild (guitars, vocals) and Nate Archer (drums).

Reemerging as this shapely trio, the band looks to rock one's socks off, this time decked out all in black. Pants are included, though the main attraction is the new wave hooks reminiscent of another popular '80s act, the Cars.

Written, produced and recorded in their garage, which is aptly dubbed the Rock 'n' Roll Disco, is the band's debut LP Call Me When Your Boyfriend's Dead . With such a moniker the band can rest assured knowing that its garage can keep its disco distinction, as the songs have amalgamated to form another simple statement: the Squares want you to dance.

Look no further than “Bottle Me Up,” the first track of the album. As the synths hit you immediately, the pressing need to find a mate and get him/her on the dance floor to flat out boogie circulates.

As you pause to take a breather from that full tilt hustle, you're able to listen to the lyrics, which evoke forlorn love being bottled up so that it can be saved for someone even more special. These feelings will only incite the dancing even more, taking you to a higher echelon due to all that synth bliss.

While there are songs that bring to mind sheer nuclear meltdown (“Windows 99”), the heart and soul of the Squares is their ability to craft a love song like their pop rock predecessors Weezer. The parade of affection ranges from the endless pleading of “Trudy” to the ever so grim nature of “Call Me When Your Boyfriend's Dead.” Hettinger's vocal on the chorus is as furious as the guitar that accompanies it.

The band continues to show its affection for its influences especially in the track “All the Wrong Reasons.” The song splits into two, showcasing both the keyboard driven/guitar rock resembling that of Hot Hot Heat and the melodic dance rock comparable to that of Bloc Party which becomes apparent in the latter part of the track.

Still the Squares are able to create a sound near the final minutes of the album that shows their true potential. What emanates is a bottling of all their influences, the results of which are emitted during the double dose of “[][][][]” and “One More Time.”

The mini instrumental “[][][][]” is a tripping out of keyboards, shimmers and spaced out sounds which then become obliterated with the garage rock of “One More Time.” The synths are there, with an extra space loop at the finale but it's the sheer rock rawness of guitar and rapid-fire vocals with a parade of “Wuh Ohs” that leaves a mark.

Call Me When Your Boyfriend's Dead is currently available. The Squares will perform Dec. 19 at the KeyClub, in West Hollywood. For more information, visit www.thesquaresband.com .