that*S*rite

Minimal underground rock has always had a place on college radio and in the caverns that cater to live music, with jangly, primitive, and attitude-heavy instrumental backing performed by musicians who play for the fun of it. Mark Alexander and Teresa Starr of the Echoes take full advantage of the genre, as does the ensemble on Rew*'s that*S*rite CD. On "Skeletonz," the lead singer wants to bare her soul, if the person she's singing to will reciprocate, right after "U Annoy Me," an essay full of relationship negativity that refuses any chance of reconciliation. This is an album chock-full of soap opera dilemmas, one of the most effective being "U Suck," which has so much invective and X-rated language that rappers Living Legends might blush were they to do a cover of it. It also happens to have a great melody and is most useful when an intimate relationship is over and it is time to throw bottles at the wall. Combining the angst of L.A. punk rockers Piss Ant with the spirit of the Echoes results in a risqué approach to light sounds and pretty melodies smashing into heartache...and the mania that sometimes follows. The title track, "That*s Rite," is a slinky, creepy Doors-influenced song about movin' on, with the charismatic frontwoman matter of factly walking out the door. "Megan," on the other hand, is a Lou Reed-ish ballad from his Coney Island Baby period, and will appeal to fans of that classic CD; the subtle guitar lines are a pleasant touch. "Something Rite" is a more positive look at a relationship, the episodes from song to song almost manic in the way the themes change, some lighthearted, many very angry. Drummer Billy Ficca (Television, Dave Rave, Coyote Shivers), bassist Ashley Owl, and lead guitarist Ricky "Wolf" Orbach create a platform that the singer utilizes quite well. All ten titles have impudence and nerve, even when Rew* is at her most congenial, as on the final track, "Gotta Go." All in all, that*S*rite is a good package of "new wave" '70s-style pop songs that exude fun while displaying lots of charm.