PLATTSBURGH -- elephantbear.

Think mp3 with extra band personnel.

When Tim Collins and Mike Pedersen tossed around names for their latest musical identity, Pedersen's childhood stuffed animals, an elephant called Elephant and a bear called Bear, became a beat up but youthful metaphor.

Since their talent-show debut at Stafford Middle School, the Plattsburgh natives have matured as musicians and men. But at their core is the irresistible idea of happiness and youth. Like Elephant. Like Bear.

GOOD SONGS

"Hide And Go Seek" is elephantbear's Leap Year release. It is Pedersen and Collins's first since their Puppet-Slinger release with Seth Folsom, who is now building acoustic instruments for the likes of Bela Fleck.

"It's been long overdue," Pedersen said.

"Michael and I have been playing music, like, forever," Collins said. "We had all these tunes. At some point, I was like, Man, we need to make a record because these are good songs. This has to be done.' We did it, and I'm happy with the result, and hopefully other people will be, too."

"Hide and Go Seek" was recorded last summer in New York City with special guests Matt Clohesy (electric bass), Brian Coogan (piano and organ), Matt Blostein (tenor sax), Ulrike Schmitz (violin), Chris Hoffman (cell), Simon Lott (drums), Matthias Bublath (keyboards), Jenny Cuasapaz and Denis Wong (girl talk), Tom Barber (trumpet) and Alex Jeun (trombone).

The live band came together after the CD with the exception of George Facteau, bassist, who shares writing credits.

"He's been a big part of the project although he wasn't able to come down and record with us," Pedersen said.

BREAK-UP SONGS

Elephantbear is: Pedersen (lead guitar and lead vocals), Facteau (bass), Jamie Durivage (guitar), Jay Lesage (keys and vocals) and Chris Shacklett (drums and vocals) when Collins is not available. Friday at Woodstock's, Ryan Trumball of Lucid will be guest drummer. Expect to hear bitter break-up songs like "Eternally Incomplete," an eternally danceable track written and arranged by Pedersen, Collins and Facteau.

"The term eternally incomplete is a metaphysical term," Pedersen said. "Even when you die and are reborn, you're never completely fulfilled. That gives you the desire to keep on going to each lifetime."

He wrote the CD's guitar-driven title track five years ago.