Despite a handful of classic pop singles,
Saint Etienne's debut album,
Foxbase Alpha, is a tentative fusion of club culture and swinging '60s pop. Lead vocalist
Sarah Cracknell hasn't been fully integrated into the band's lineup -- she doesn't even sing on their astonishing Euro-disco cover of
Neil Young's "Only Love Will Break Your Heart," which is not only cleverly ironic, but also works -- yet the filler remains thoroughly enjoyable, even if it rarely reaches the heights of the irresistible girl group pop of "Kiss and Make Up." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine