At the outset, cynics might feel they've heard these songs before: gentle pop melodies delivered with hard-bitten female attitude on the subject of love lost and found, punctuated by stinging guitar. But
Kelley Ryan's songs go a shade deeper, with her commitment to distinct, lyrical song styling at the fore. It's caught the attention of
Marshall Crenshaw,
Don Dixon and
Marti Jones, all of whom guest on the homemade,
Ryan-produced record; co-songwriter and bassist Maureen Serrao and John Oreshnick on drums make up the band. The aggressive "Shaken Free" and her cover of
Crenshaw's "Crowded Town" are standouts among 13 tracks of rock-solid pop. [
Pet was also released with a bonus track.] ~ Denise Sullivan