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Listen: Whatfor isn’t just pop. Michael Sienkowski, the man behind the moniker, has the mentality of the classics, a knack for sharp songwriting, and a handsome set of pipes. Whatfor’s debut album, Sooner Late Than Never, is pointedly smart and crafty without compromising its levelheaded measure; the finest Midwestern gallantry tempered by the strong hands of wry humor and verse. With songs masking self-mockery in 60s-brand pop, Sooner Late Than Never channels the sardonic joy of The Kinks, jointed by Beatles harmonies and a vocal style reminiscent of Rufus Wainwright. Despite the oft-biting lyrical subject matter, the album still sounds upbeat and manages to escape the redundancy that can plague pop rock. Each track tackles its own personality, from touches of baroque, finger-plucked rag, to tongue-in-cheek misogyny that will put your hips in a twist.

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Sienkowski is no stranger to the Madison, Wisconsin music scene. He’s the drummer for pop rock trio Sleeping in the Aviary, was founding member of the late, lamented Eyebeams, and Whatfor finds him taking full advantage of his musical neighbors. SITA bandmates Elliott Kozel (guitar) and Phil Mahlstadt (bass) make appearances on much of the album, fleshing out Sienkowski’s own work on piano, vocals, and drums. Beth Morgan of Madison’s Pale Young Gentlemen acts as cellist laureate, while UW music majors Erin Heinke (harpsichord) and Jamie Kember (trombone) add even more flavor to the mix, and Cribshitter’s Christine Christenson busts out her tuba for a track.  The crew conveys a sense of musical modesty, lending the album skillfully minimalist performances which Sienkowski layers into an irrepressibly catchy whole.

Sooner Late than Never, recorded by Ricky Riemer at Science of Sound in Madison, is scheduled for release May 20, 2008 on the Science of Sound label.

Closely at its heels, Sleeping in the Aviary is due to issue its latest album, which will be followed by extensive touring later in the year.