The Pipettes are the prettiest girls you’ve ever met, or so they say in the opener and title track to their full-length debut “We Are The Pipettes.” Judging by the cover art, they just might be right. And good looks aside, The Pipettes are a highly entertaining send-up to Phil Spector era girl pop and a joy to listen to.

I am not sure I am The Pipettes’ target audience. Their live performances are centered on matching polka-dot dresses and synchronized dances. One of the best songs on the album, “Your Kisses are Wasted on Me,” is perforated with hand claps and is so bouncy that I initially confused it with a Kidz Bop commercial. The band is grounded in a notion of pop music 40 years out of date.

Yet that’s part of the charm. There’s a smile and a wink behind every synchronized gesture. “We Are the Pipettes” packs 16 songs in under 40 minutes and serious moments are few and far between. One of my favorites “One Night Stand” is told from the perspective of someone who is caught trying to escape a one-night stand. They shrug off accusations by saying “if you think that this is cruel then you should see what my friends do.”

“We are the Pipettes” includes a number of near classics. “Judy” describes a girl who no one will want to know in a few years. “Dirty Mind” is about a creepy neat freak. Along with those are “Pull Shapes” and “Your Kisses are Wasted on Me,” both of which were released previously as successful singles.

Now, I realize a semi-ironic ’60s-style girl band is not the easiest sell in the world. And done wrong, The Pipettes could be a drag. But the execution is near perfect. The three singers harmonize quite well, and the seldom seen back-up band, The Cassettes, come up with a number of catchy arrangements. And beyond the skill of the performers, the CD is, quite simply, a lot of fun.
The Pipettes were set to play Exit/In next week but had to push back their tour due to “visa paperwork delays.” It is not clear whether the show will be rescheduled. Either way, The Pipettes’ debut is enjoyable from start to finish, with few noticeable weak spots. Hopefully this will mark the official beginning to an auspicious career.