Robbers turn over a new leaf

Like many new bands scrapping for attention in early 2005, Robbers on High Street teased listeners by releasing an EP in 2004 before following up with a full-length album.

And you’d be tempted to call the New York quartet’s “Tree City” (out next week) a case of bait-and-switch -- except that audiences are bound to like the switch better than the bait.

“We had a lot of songs written, and we grouped the darker songs on the EP,” says singer-guitarist Ben Trokan, whose band performs Wednesday at Spaceland. “But most of our songs have more of a pop structure, and as a result the album is a lot more accessible than the EP was. They’re almost at opposite ends of the spectrum.”

With its bouncy keyboards and horns, jaunty guitars and wry lyrics, “Tree City” dwells emotionally somewhere between the playfulness of Ben Folds and tautness of indie bellwethers Spoon. But it’s obvious the Robbers, who include singer-guitarist Steve Mercado, bassist Jeremy Phillips and drummer Tomer Danan, are still in the midst of a growth spurt.

“We’ve learned a lot just since the last tour,” Trokan, 26, says. “Instead of going somewhere and saying, ‘So what kind of free beer do you have?,’ we’re working harder. You tour with good bands and see how they work, and you want to achieve that level of professionalism.”

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-- Kevin Bronson

Robbers on High Street, with Gran Ronde, Spaceland, 1717 Silver Lake Blvd., L.A. 9 p.m. Wednesday. $8. (323) 661-4380.