In Brief:

*** 1/2 The Posies, “Dear 23,” DGC. Scarcely characteristic of the rough Seattle sound, the Posies’ rich harmonies recall the Mamas & the Papas more than Mudhoney. The group’s sometimes chillingly dead-on jabs at relationship foibles--set to perfect hooks--make the band a logical successor to Squeeze and make this major-label debut a near-masterpiece. “Golden Blunders” is just the tip of the power-pop gold here.