Ripely Pine

Buzzing with raw, infectious energy, this debut by young singer/songwriter Lady Lamb the Beekeeper (a.k.a. Aly Spaltro) announces an exciting new voice in indie rock. Lurching from arresting full-bodied band arrangements to sparse DIY moxie, sometimes within the same song, this sprawling album holds nothing back. Its unpredictability is a major asset. “Bird Balloons” is forceful and frenzied, while the next track—the folky, banjo-driven “Regarding Ascending the Stairs”—is sweetly vulnerable. And so it goes for a full hour of music. Performing with emotional abandon, Spaltro employs vivid lyrical imagery and angular tempo shifts to keep listeners off-balance and engaged. “Aubergine” features a triumphant horn section, “You Are the Apple” is an exhilarating seven-minute thrill ride, and “Crane Your Neck” carefully builds to a galloping finish. Spaltro could have edited more closely without losing much, as some tracks meander longer than necessary. Yet it’s hard to fault her ambition and fearless experimentation. Overall, Ripely Pine is a dazzling and dramatic work.