In Brief

* * * The Pursuit of Happiness, “The Downward Road,” Chrysalis. Moe Berg writes about the up-and-down sexual mores of the post-collegiate, pre-middle-age set (remember “I’m an Adult Now”?) with a disarming frankness that’s funny, crude, calloused, embarrassing and occasionally even sweet. The fact that these riffy, catchy rock gems are packaged with even punchier rhythms this third time around (via Living Colour producer Ed Stasium) ensures pop pleasure seekers hot pursuit.

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).