Lifelike

Imagine Aimee Mann fronting the Gin Blossoms and you will have a very rough idea of Lift. This pop/rock quartet from Atlanta, GA, consists of vocalist/guitarist Molly Bancroft, drummer Simone Simonton, lead guitarist David Patterson, and bassist Julie Clark. Bancroft's vocals are indeed reminiscent of Aimee Mann but with a touch of Chrissie Hynde thrown in for good measure. She and Simonton handle the songwriting duties, creating tunes ranging from the catchy lead-off anthem "Let Us Be" to the jangly sway of "Sorry Doesn't Say," which sounds a bit like early Toad the Wet Sprocket. Other standout tracks include the hopeful "In Summertime...," which seems to soar while never forsaking its well-dug roots, and the 'Til Tuesday-esque "I Mean It." The occasional self-declared fake drums and strings never take away from Lift's organic feel and if you assume that girls can't rock, they will change your mind. The solid rhythm section and the powerful, but not over-powering, guitar work of Patterson, who has also played with fellow Atlantan Shawn Mullins, prove this mostly female band to be worthy contenders in the male-dominated world of rock music.