New parents Linda Mallari and Joey Santiago gave birth to this little bundle of joy earlier this year. And while a lot of people (myself included) must have picked it up on the strength of guitarist Santiago's other band, Smitten stands on it's own chubby little feet. And yes, the Morricone-on-speed guitar sound is unmistakable, and at times even the bass sounds like ... that other band (check out track 3). But with a voice both pretty and powerful, and songs that are catchy as hell, the real star here is mama Mallari.

Tony Peltier