Robbers on High Street [ tickets ] debuted last year with ''Fine Lines," an excellent, mostly guitar-driven EP with a sound that drew somewhat strained comparisons to fellow New Yorkers The Strokes. But lurking below the guitars were great melodies--and it's the melodies that truly shine on "Tree City."

The Robbers' sound has evolved into a tight, energetic concoction that at times evokes early Elvis Costello, albeit without quite the edge. A lot more piano--and even some horns--have crept into the quartet's instrumentation, but production remains spare, giving "Tree City" a feel that's more lively than slick.

Rather than in-your-face rock-posturing or deep self-analysis, singer and primary songwriter Ben Trokan's strength lies in his keen ability to observe and report. And at the group's best--on tracks like the hooky "Spanish Teeth," the punk-pop gem "Beneath the Trees" and the brilliantly painted "Hudson Tubes"--that's more than enough to carry the day.

"Tree City" has the feeling of a band finding its feet--and a band that almost certainly will improve on an impressive debut album. The Robbers may have a great one in 'em.