Shake It Around

Alison Pipitone has a no-nonsense approach to songwriting. She writes what she feels, what she sees, what she lives. And even though she sounds something like Lisa Germano or Liz Phair, with that same odd quality of near-pitch, monotonic melodicism, she's way more straightforward and accessible lyrically than either. That combination makes her fairly charming and easy enough to listen to, though there's nothing terribly earth-shattering about her work. Shake It Around has a smoothed out, quirky, college garage band feel to it, but post-college and with not so much quirk — a not quite punk attitude in basic folk-rock clothing. Something like that, anyway. The opening track (surprise surprise) is a catchy upbeat number and one of the best in the collection. (Ever notice how the first song is almost always the strongest?) After that, "A Little More Time," "If You're Sleeping on a Train," and the title track would get the highest votes. Overall, Shake It Around is simple, honest, and real. And that's a fine enough accomplishment.