Naming yourself after furniture isn't exactly in the rock handbook, but then neither is the Chicago group's mix of serious-guy synths and playful pop hooks. What it's all got in common is good design. That AG have a tune named "Headphones" should come as no surprise to Grado buffs.

Named in honor of a line of furniture designed by Charles and Ray Eames, Chicago-based chamber-pop outfit the Aluminum Group is led by brothers John and Frank Navin. These early contributors to the Wicker Park music scene first surfaced in 1983 as members of the hardcore band Women in Love.

Eventually their secret affection for the buoyant music of the Carpenters and Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 surfaced when the Navin brothers formed the Aluminum Group, stubbornly crafting their own singular brand of lushly orchestrated pop long before the genre became newly 're-fashionable' during the mid-1990s. Besides composing and recording their own music, the Navins have begun making short films to accompany their music, available on their website: www.thealuminumgroup.net

"Little Happyness" is the finale to the Aluminum Group's decade-long "Happyness" trilogy. Beginning with "Happyness" (2002) and "Morehappyness" (2004). A talented mix of artists and musicians helped contribute to the creation of "Little Happyness", John Mcentire produced and mixed the album along with Prada designer Fabio Zambernardi. Musical contributions also include Rob Kallick and Dave Rothblatt from hit Chicago rock band The Changes, actress Lisa Zane, Amy Warren, Bill Loman and Geri Soriano from Supreme Beings of Leisure."Little Happyness" blends the light-hearted "pop" orchestration the brothers love with the abstract qualities that keep them endlessly intriguing. Eleven new rapturous songs telling tiny tales of Everyman's struggle with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!