I get a lot of promo emails from PR agencies, bands, indie artists, labels, etc., etc. all fishing for reviews, of course. Many (maybe even most) are not worthwhile pursuing because either the music does not conform to Chain D.L.K.'s genre parameters or just isn't very good. Every once in a while, though, something slips through worth telling Chain D.L.K.'s readers about. Frankie Rose is just such a case. She's from Brooklyn, New York and has been around for years. She was an original member of Crystal Stilts, Dum Dum Girls, Vivian Girls and Beverly. 'Hila' seems to be Rose's sixth solo album, self-produced at her home studio featuring collaborations with drummer Justin Welch (Elastica/Lush). Other players on 'Hila' include: Ian Campbell and Chris Rager (guitars); Jeff Tobias and Matthew Friedlander (saxophones); and Jake Vest (bass). It's assumed that Frankie handled all the keyboard/synth work, because after all, this is synth-pop.

The album is 10 tracks of quality modern synth-pop, any my first impression is - Strawberry Switchblade meets the Cocteau Twins, sounding like both of them and yet neither. That description is nowhere near the sum total of 'Hila.' While she says that this is an album of loss, there also seems to be hope. It's an album of dichotomies - innocence vs. worldliness; light vs. darkness; the past vs. the future; sweetness against the bitter. The opener, "Olo" sounds like what Lush would be doing now if they were still together. "Can't Be Wrong" is one of those tunes that would fit comfortably on any Britpop radio station in the '80s or '90s. Frankie's vocals are just so perfect for this type of music- absolutely charming! In fact, the song construction, arrangement and recording leaves little to be desired. The commercial appeal is off the charts without sounding like whatever the flavor of the week is currently. While no particular track stands out above the rest (they're all good, really), a favorite of mine is "TV Star," reminiscent of the Cocteau's 'Blue Bell Knoll.' 'Hila' is an absolute winner and since Frankie is on tour NOW until September 26, you might be lucky enough to catch her live if you live in a major city between LA and New York. 'Hila' drops on September 18. Buy it. You won't regret it.