Sweetness and Decency

Dina D'Alessandro's promising debut effort showcases her strong, immediately catchy way around a very specifically '80s-inspired pop/rock, though not in the obvious or fashion cliché sense one would expect from that description. Rather than aiming for new romantic visions or AOR sludge, D'Alessandro embraces a bright, guitar-driven sound that would have been called college rock two decades back — the difference being that her singing and lyrics are far more direct than, say, Michael Stipe's in 1983. Her work and that of her backing band's can best be called crystalline — the sparkle of her electric and acoustic guitars hints at the richness of performers like Will Sergent and Johnny Marr without sounding specifically like them. As for her singing, it's quite simply excellent, a higher register voice that never falls into the trap of showboating for its own sake — she slips into the pace and flow of her songs well, as can be heard on her verse/chorus contrast on "As the Story Goes" or via her riding the central guitar melody on the concluding "Live Through the Ages." If groups like the Sundays or Sixpence None the Richer can be invoked as possible comparison points, D'Alessandro's voice seeks to clone neither — and thankfully never once will make a listener think of the Cranberries' later excesses. Further hints at her abilities come with the understated variety she introduces throughout — the waltz-like feeling of the title track or the brief music-box like instrumental "Intermission" being two fine examples. Rhythm duo Todd Ramsey and Edward Shemansky carry the songs well while guest performances from trumpeter Dan Ramsey and pianist Michael Martinez, the latter of whom co-wrote the instrumental "The Fountain" with D'Alessandro, further add gentle color to the album.