Terrible Things Happen - The Aislers Set

This group is essentially Amy Linton, the guitarist/drummer of the late Henry's Dress, an underground but well-liked San Francisco indie-pop act. Now on her own, she's fronting this group with members of three other Bay-area bands, though half this LP is just Linton solo. On the full-band tracks, the group claims loads of great British mod influences from the Who and Action, and further later-'60s American pop heroes. But what you hear is a woman who sounds uncannily like the Shirelles' Shirley Owens Alston singing lullabies that nicely seem at odds with the agitated, distorted but still jangly guitar sounds such 30-year-old blueprints don't mention. On the opening "Friends of the Heroes," they even add a super-silent version of Jesus & Mary Chain's white-noise throb. Otherwise, Linton's solo tracks such as "Mary's Song" sound more like a young woman out to break your heart, with a few halfhearted strums of her guitar; background tapped-drums; that purring, almost lovelorn/teary Alston-like voice; and chamber hushed, demo-production value. Nice mix all around (P.O. Box 14731, Berkeley, CA 94712). ~ Jack Rabid, All Music Guide