Co-operators

If nothing else, the charm of song titles like "Ear Falls, Ont.," "Experience Brian Connelly" and "Your Ass is Lame" is enough to warrant my recommendation of the Co-operators debut CD. Fronted by Toronto guitarist and vocalist Sara C. Montgomery, this album features well written pop music played with a slacker rock attitude. Montgomery's tendency to use vocal doubling and punchy guitar riffs recalls an early Chrissy Hynde. Unfortunately, her poignant lyrics are often buried in the mix, and some lyrics translate more effectively on paper than they do aurally. A horn section arrives mid-album to breath fresh life into their sound; they help to create a delightful post-Booker T groove on "Aji No Moto."