Midwest garage rockers the Lovelies are no strangers to the fashionable modern rock tip. Despite being prominent in the it scene early on in the new millennium, the Lovelies don't bat an eyelash at what was once considered underground pop/rock, and like the saying goes, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. The Lovelies do just that on their third album, White Leather. Sticking to the sparse production sound that echoes throughout their two previous albums, White Leather is bold as brass, but sweetly so. Liv Mueller, (aka Liv Lovely)'s girly vocals are slightly edgy and full of attitude, and a great match for her feverish guitar riffs. She, bass player Barbara Endes (aka Barb Lovely), and drummer Bill Backes don't want to compete with what's considered fabulous because they simply don't have to. White Leather is an album that's stylish in its own right, and songs such as "I Want Your Love" and "Don't You Worry" are just as playful and hungry as anything by Sleater-Kinney and Throwing Muses, but without the slickness. In between the crank and the scowl is a throbbing heart, but the Lovelies don't want to make that too obvious, or else someone gets hurt. "Tommy" pays tribute to a long lost love, while "Put It in a Letter" is a wish for that special someone to notice you, as the band reveals a truly wishful disposition. With a clever title such as White Leather, the Lovelies go for hot, sexy rock & roll, while getting you to fall for them in the process.
© MacKenzie Wilson /TiVo