Shivaree: Rough Dreams

By RUSSELL BAILLIE

(Herald rating: * * * * )

The sophomore album by the Californian alt-pop trio led by the breathy warble of one Ambrosia Parsley neatly extends the off-kilter designs of their delightfully oddball debut. The songs can sometimes suggest a screwy Sheryl Crow working her way through the Tom Waits songbook. Other than its mainstay of woozy balladry, Rough Dreams runs on damaged electropop like the terrific You've Gone Too Far and the crunchy, jagged Thundercats, and After The Prince and the Showgirl. Parsley's lyrics and delivery suggest an air of down-at-heel glamour and faded romance, especially on torch tunes like Stealing Home. Recommended to those who like their pop with personality — or a few personality defects. An album that can be filed comfortably alongside the artfully bent likes of the Eels, Cardigans and Sparklehorse.

Label: Capitol