"It's about the sound," explains lead guitarist James Mazlen. "We've got guitars, keyboards and lots of layering -- it's textured but still raw. that's the 'Vibro.'

"The 'lush' part is the sum of all the elements -- the music, the live show, the personalities -- the final product. The name just fits our music

One listen to their exciting V2 Records debut Touch and Go and it all makes perfect sense. The album is a nonstop, eclectic ride that's pure rock'n'roll, but with something else, too. Featuring a brand-new but instantly accessible sound, this dynamic New York quartet shifts effortlessly from the pop hooks of the driving title track (the first single), to epic rock tunes like "Crush" and "Special," to the groove-laden "Claim to Fame."

"A lot of bands get pigeonholed, and we've tried to avoid that," says singer Phil Vassil. "I'm a great believer in songs, but there's a lot of variety on this record, from classic rock influences to programmed deep grooves. Some people don't get that, but when there's so much good music out there these days, it's not enough to do just one thing."

Vassil and Mazlen have been honing their ambitious mix since the mid-'90s. The two met on the New York City studio circuit, where both had been playing other people's sessions, as well as cutting their own material, and hit it off immediately. "We're very different personalities, but that's one of the things that keeps it exciting," says Vassil. "From the moment we met we seemed to be on the same page musically. I'd been doing my own thing for a long time, but James was the missing piece to the puzzle."

Sharing an unusually wide range of musical influences, from Zeppelin to Depeche Mode, they began writing songs together, making demos in their home studios. The formula worked so well that within a year they had a band together and were signed to independent label Iguana on the strength of their very first show.

Vibrolush subsequently cut its 1997 debut album, Vibrolush, in Seattle, with Barrett Jones producing. Interscope picked up the rights to the album, and the buzz on the band began to build.

For their V2 debut Touch and Go, Vibrolush teamed up with veteran producer Steve Thompson, whose credits include Korn, Butthole Surfers, Rollins Band and Guns and Roses. "We liked him because he's musically versatile," Mazlen says. "Steve's worked with hip hop and reggae artists, as well as producing harder stuff, so he understands the groove element in what we do."

Adds Vassil, "Steve's a very hands-on producer -- he's not afraid to tell you what he thinks. He definitely makes you take another look at what you're doing as a band and encourages you to top yourself"

Vibrolush cut Touch and Go over four different sessions last winter. "We liked recording that way," explains Vassil, "because it gave us the opportunity to go back over what we'd done and tweak -- we ended up experimenting with more instruments, using lots of keyboards and things like tabla."

"The way James and I work together is perfect," he notes. "We're totally on the same page musically. Wherever I leave off, he picks up and finishes, and vice-versa. We could start with ten different ideas but know right away the best three -- there's never an argument -- which is amazing and so hard to find.

Now, with the single "Touch and Go" creating a stir at radio, and the album on the way, Vibrolush is eager to get back to what they do best -- performing live. In addition to Vassil and Mazlen, the band's current lineup includes Tobias Ralph on drums and 'B' on bass.

"We love playing live," notes Vassil. "The thing I like is that every show is unique. You can play the same songs every night for months but never duplicate the experience."

While the world waits to sample Vibrolush onstage, the album serves as the perfect introduction to this up-and-coming band. "We wanted to make a classic record, one you could listen to from start to finish, without getting bored," says Mazlen.

"We tried to push the envelope with our sound and do something original -- start something new," he continues. "It's the hardest thing to do because people will always try to label bands, but if you come through with the songs, you'll earn their respect."

On the strength of their V2 Records album, Vibrolush can look forward to plenty of respect indeed.