New Depression (Artist Friendly, 2002)

The Darlings are just that on this ear-winning compilation of country-fried songs with the most inventive vocal and instrumental arrangements you'll have heard in some time. Thanks to the whoop-de-whoop vocals of Kelly Knapp and Simon Ritt and the twitchy, twangy musical contributions from a host of like-minded collaborators (producer Richard "Hombre" Price, who has done time with Lucinda Williams, fiddle player Carrie Rodriguez of an album with Chip Taylor fame and guitar player Billy Loosigian), this musical baker's dozen from the Boston band doesn't just waft out of the speakers - it pops out of them.

And yet, the band never leaves the country genre behind, no matter how creative it gets. From the vocal acrobatics of "Stoned And Blue" to the guitar that evokes south-of-the-border on "Juanita" to the jaunty childhood lament of "Ol' Guitar," this will add a little kick to your listening routine. (PO Box 50967, Sarasota FL 34232)