The Verve Pipe has stepped out of the melodramatic ’90s rock scene and into uncharted pop waters.

The Grand Rapids-based quartet hasn’t been much more than an afterthought since its self-titled sophomore record failed to live up to the hype produced by its platinum debut “Villains.”

Admittedly, “The Verve Pipe” wasn’t a great album, but it appears to have served as more of a rebound record between “Villains” and “Underneath.” It was just something to keep the band in the game without having to get too serious about it.

But “Underneath” definitely has a serious side to it, only this time it’s concealed in a predominantly pop format.

The writing duo of Brian Vander Ark and Donny Brown has written a great collection of pop, blues and rock songs that, when combined with an old-school rock sound, gives the album the honesty missing in its self-titled effort. The band also includes looping choruses on almost every song, allowing it to drive home the point and allowing you to sing along even if you don’t know the rest of the words.

You may already know the words to one of the album’s tracks, “Colorful,” if you have seen the movie “Rock Star.” Vander Ark wrote the song specifically for the movie and was cast as the bass player in Mark Wahlberg’s garage band.

Acting aside, the Verve Pipe has found time to create a solid album that will surely put it back in the rock spotlight.

But what really makes the record is the tight scratches and beats provided by DJ Squigglesworth on every track.

No, I’m joking about that. That would just be wrong.

Actually, the classic guitar riffs and poppy lyrics the album permeates may be just the right combination to encourage other rock bands to lose the turntables from their acts.

We can only hope.