From the first choired vocals of Dude’s indomitable opener, it’s wholly apparent that this is not in fact a tribute to The Big Lebowski’s Jeff Bridges. Ah, but the sheer perk and pep of the next tossed-off half-hour of music quickly sweeps away any lingering disappointment. The Polyphonic Spree minus white sheets, 20 backup singers, and the Jim Jones vibe, this quirky power-pop trio discards its Detroit pedigree with goofball pyschedelia, sing-along choruses, and fresh-out-of-the-dryer warm ‘n' fuzzies. On the jaunty “The Lifestyle that Got Away,” Josh Malerman’s strangled high pitch has a charming way of hovering over the nerve without actually getting on it - his caution-to-the-wind delivery comes off like Jeff Mangum on Percocet. Crashing cymbals pair with ascendant orchestration to swallow up vulnerable confessions in “Bad with My Hands,” while the acid-washed piano jam “Real Stone” sweetly kisses side two of the White Album with Flaming Lips. Of all these three-minute cheeseball inspirations, though, the representative-of-the-whole leadoff track “Standing at the Door of Self-Discovery” ups the ante both for cheese and inspiration. If Dude is ABC prime time, this cut is its Extreme Makeover: Home Edition - a sappy group effort, done in good spirits, probably tossed together in a couple days. - Robert J. Hilson