Trembling Blue Stars-- Lips That Taste of Tears (Shinkasen 10)

My favorite summer release so far, the Blue Stars offer emotional, lyrical pop that

treads into dancier territory than their last CD, Her Handwriting.

Leader Bob Watten (ex-Field Mice) lures in the wallflowers with wispy piano meanderings, then attacks with spooky Gasto-electro breakbeats.

This CD changed my mood six times while I was dusting my music room-- now I sleep with it under my pillow and call it by a pet name. Don't ask.

--- Dave Harrison