The Rentals frontman (and former Weezer bassist) Matt Sharp is not exactly prolific. It's taken 15 years for the band to put out two-and-a-half albums. But that's about to change -- now they've got a schedule to a keep! In 2009, The Rentals plan to create 52 short films, release a photo each day, and record an EP every three months. How's that for ambitious?

The first musical installation is a collection of four subdued, orchestra-tinged tunes. The EP begins with "Song of Remembering," a track driven by a chugging bass line, boy/girl vocals, and alternating violin and piano riffs. The rest of tracks are painted from a similar palette, creating images of time creeping by while everything else is standing still.

The EP certainly doesn't have the pogo-ing fun of early Rentals, but it's clear that Sharp still knows how write catchy pop songs. And despite the mid tempos, happiness manages to shine through.