If Philadelphia four-piece Hop Along had emerged at the height of the college-rock era, they would have fit in neatly between Bettie Serveert and the Breeders. They’re no throwback act, but Frances Quinlan’s rhythmic, quasi-jazzy phrasing brings Carol van Dijk and Kim Deal to mind. If it’s possible to sound relaxed and excitable at the same time, she’s mastered the trick. While their first two records were a little exhausting, last year’s Bark Your Head Off, Dog reveals a band at greater ease in addition to surprising new moves, like nods in the direction of power pop and baroque folk. by Kathy Fennessy