Switchfoot, a power pop trio from the San Diego, Calif., area, are well-scrubbed surfer dudes (two college students; one recent high school graduate), who have been as influenced by New Wave artists like The Police and XTC as current modern rock bands like Sugar, Jellyfish and Everclear. I first listened to The Legend of Chin in a small songwriter's studio, with a nervous label exec waiting for my opinion after every song. Because I was stunned that a young band could exude such talent and charisma, I left the studio glassy-eyed and speechless. And for the next week, Chin was the only tape I played in my car. Three months later, I'm still finding reasons to listen to it regularly. When you base your approach on classic pop, as Switchfoot has, success depends on how completely you make that sound your own; the innovations which separate copycats from pioneers. Switchfoot plays intricately-arranged songs that are lyrically and musically smart, without being self-consciously clever. Chin is simultaneously brilliant and effortless, and already on my short list for one of the 10 best albums of the year. When you find a writer as promising as Jonathan Foreman, it's tempting just to recite a laundry list of terrific lyrics (OK, let me cite just a few examples). "Bomb," which leads off the disc, finds Foreman thanking God for revealing Himself by exclaiming: This is the bomb that I've been waiting for, looking for/ You finally lit the fuse that's in my head; or "Chem 6A," which addresses apathy while never actually talking about chemistry class and "Might Have Ben Hur," which spoofs the title of that classic biblical film while lamenting lost love. Just as captivating is the way Switchfoot's music draws you in. For the most part, the band avoids a "verse-chorus-verse" approach to writing; for example, "Life and Love and Why" features four distinct melodies without ever hitting what one would call a chorus. Then, there's the mysterious "Chin," of the album title and song "Ode to Chin." It wouldn't be sporting to give away too much of the game, but suffice it to say you won't be disappointed as you learn more about this "legendary" character. That sense of humor is only one of many aspects of Switchfoot's debut which makes the young band so charming.