**1/2 Ednaswap

WONDERLAND PARK

(Island)

Here is Ednaswap's bid to be remembered as something more than the band who recorded three versions of "Torn" before Natalie Imbruglia struck gold with it. Produced by the LA quintet's guitarist/composer Scott Cutler, the CD is a treasure trove (or at least a costume-jewelry box) of radio-friendly pop hooks anchored in melodies and harmonies that can only be described as Beatlesque. (That's groovy, Summer-of-Love-era Beatlesque -- dig those descending-chord la-la-las on "Safety Net," or that mystical, George Harrison-ish "Without Within.") The group's chief asset, however, is the supple voice of Harvard grad Anne Preven, which is expressive enough to transcend her often vapid, navel-gazing lyrics. She's versatile, capable of a variety of textures that almost makes her sound like a different singer on each song. (She could be the Indigo Girls, with Emily Saliers's honeyed overtones, Amy Ray's throaty rumble, and both singers' dogged earnestness.) But her tart sharpness gives Ednaswap a mature sound that can't be dismissed as a carbon copy of anyone else.

-- Gary Susman