Frail Hope Ranch

Featuring Brett Anderson (a.k.a. Donna A. of The Donnas), Paul Stinson of The Radishes, and DJ Bonebrake of X, The Stripminers work a cinematic angle on the usual Americana terrain. The 12-minute centerpiece "The Captive" follows the story of a woman waiting for her man to be released from prison. Stinson sings as the prisoner; Anderson takes the role of the dutiful lover. By the song's end, in a musical rapture worthy of Tindersticks, the two voices circle one another unable to come to agreement or harmony. Simpler but equally effective is the two-and-a-half-minute dream pop of "Admission Theme," where a touch of Calexico-like Southwestern charm anchors the wispy arrangement. "Gothic" offers an ominous setting of acoustic guitar and strings before it turns agitating. A cover of The Zombies' "She's Not There" turns the innocent harmonies of the mid-'60s hit into a foreboding intro and merciless attack, where punk aggression overtakes the chorus and a cranked guitar solo does permanent damage, all in little more than two minutes.