The quirky synth pop sound of the British trio Saint Etienne has influenced a score of other artists in the ten years since the group was formed, ranging from Morcheeba and Björk to the Cardigans.

Now the group, which borrowed its name from a French soccer team, has returned to the states with "Good Humour," its first album of original material in four years. Saint Etienne accompanied the release with a handful of American dates in as many years, and has just released "Sylvie" as the first American single from the record.

"It's basically [about] a girl who thinks that her younger sister is flirting with her boyfriend," vocalist Sarah Cracknell explained to the MTV Radio Network, "trying to steal her boyfriend, and she's kind of warning her off. It's kind of a bit bitchy and stuff, your basic sort of '60s girl group type -- and also a bit of Dolly Parton. [28.8 RealVideo]

In addition to the new record, Saint Etienne has also contributed songs and music to the soundtrack for the upcoming film, "The Misadventures of Margaret," which is due out next year and is planning to return to the U.S. for a more extensive road outing in early 1999.