A few years ago, an album titled Unknown Mystery ’60s Group stirred up some notice in garage-rock collectors’ circles. It was released as an unearthed demo by a band whose identity was lost to history; the record geeks who heard it were amazed that something this good could have fallen through the cracks. It took a few months before it was revealed as a modern recording—a hoax, but still a good album.

Bipolaroid could have pulled the same trick with its latest disc, the first to be released on a national indie label. Not only do they get the vintage sounds right, they go a step further and catch the ambiance of a particular time—specifically the latter part of 1966, when bands who’d been trying to write catchy hit singles took the drugs, saw the colors and freaked out. With its blast of reverb, the opening “Get off My Fence” could have come off your favorite Nuggets or Pebbles album. Bipolaroid’s approach is refreshingly camp-free; they love this music for its thrill of discovery.

Like some of their role models, Bipolaroid seem to be a pop band at heart; there are plenty of hooks and no extended acid jams here. And while 16 songs are a bit much for a band with only one singer (the lack of a harmony voice is definitely felt at times), Ben Glover provides at least 10 winners here—about right for a ’60s album. “Merry Xmas” pulls off a Who-like grandeur (one of the few times that a specific band is referenced) and “Love You Not” would be ridiculously catchy in any era.