We don't usually associate piano pop with Armageddon, but Three Stars alums Jukebox the Ghost have made the end of the world sound particularly catchy with their debut full-length album, Let Live and Let Ghosts. Recorded last January at Low Watt Studios in Raleigh, N.C., the album consists of the five songs off their debut EP released last year as well as several new tracks that form what vocalist and guitarist Tommy Siegel describes as multi-song sequences, some of which relate to the end of the world. It's pretty ambitious for a debut, but the band pulls it off.

Let's get the comparisons out of the way. Jukebox the Ghost — which is comprised of Siegel, Ben Thornewill on vocals and piano and Jesse Kristin on drums — clearly embraces its many influences. There are the obvious similarities to Ben Folds, which are hard to escape for any band with a piano and an exceptionally clever lyricist. Think Chapel Hill's The Old Ceremony, but more upbeat. There's also a bit of Queen, like on the track "Under My Skin," where the chorus is capped off with some particularly operatic vocal work. And we couldn't help but think of Supergrass, circa 1995's I Should Coco, when we heard "Victoria" and "Where Are All The Scientists Now?"

It's the way Jukebox the Ghost mixes all of these ideas and makes it their own that gives Let Live and Let Ghosts its radio-friendly accessibility in spite of the album's gloomy subject matter. If you liked their debut EP, there's no reason why you shouldn't pick up this album as soon as possible. We've also heard that the band puts on a decent live show. They'll be at the Black Cat on Saturday with Pash and Bellman Barker to officially celebrate the release of Let Live and Let Ghosts. Show starts at 9 p.m. and tickets are $10.