THE GHOST LULLABY

If you intend to summarize the wide U.K. and U.S. indie scenes from the late '80s to the early '90s, you could listen to the Ghost Lullaby (http://www.theghostlullaby.com) and receive a proper education. Whether it was their intention or not, the Ghost Lullaby offer a mirror reflection to the glory days of alternative from both sides of the modern-rock shore.The opening cut "Dirty" not only shares the title of a Sonic Youth album but the downtempo fuzz rock that made them critical darlings as well. Look to "Candle" as a point of reference with vocalist Perrin Newell capturing Thurston Moore's dour, Lou Reed-influenced tone. Newell shares singing duties with Valerie Aiello, whose Goth schoolgirl sweetness recalls Lush in the 4AD prime. The Ghost Lullaby veers from violent dissonance to dreamy richness; it's a bipolar disorder that is consistently mesmerizing. On "Delicate Ways," the Ghost Lullaby reach the grindhouse decibel levels of Sub Pop-era Nirvana, pounding the pavement with "Negative Creep"-loud riff rock. But then the band glides downward with the shoegazer prettiness of "Texture," which could be compared to Ride and Catherine Wheel except that it's a woman on board. - Adam Harrington (www.whisperinandhollerin.com)