Semisonic’s Got ‘Chemistry,’ a Catchy Sound

Semisonic? The Minneapolis trio was more like Supersonic at the House of Blues on Tuesday, delivering a deceptively casual, bar-rocking set of carefully crafted melodic gems about the ups and downs of romance.

In a pop world ruled by the lowest common denominator, the group’s 90-minute performance offered not only refreshingly intelligent takes on human relationships, but also reassurance that--judging by the packed room--smart lyrics and cute hooks still pull weight with some listeners.

Drawing mostly from their third album, “All About Chemistry,” singer-songwriter Dan Wilson, bassist John Munson and drummer Jacob Slichter, joined by an additional keyboardist-guitarist, moved easily from straight-ahead rockers to sweeping ballads. Influenced partly by hometown hero Prince, their driving-yet-effervescent music evoked the finer moments of such acts as XTC, Todd Rundgren, the Cars and even Radiohead.

The bookishly appealing Wilson hip-swiveled behind his guitar and deftly changed moods, from wry regret in the love-goes-boom anthem “Chemistry” to naked vulnerability for the piano-propelled “She’s Got My Number.”

If there were any justice, Semisonic would be eclipsing such chart-friendlier groups as Matchbox Twenty rather than probably heading for beloved-cult-figure status like fellow Minneapolitans Bob Mould and the Replacements.