CD Review

Boston’s Kelly Buchanan may be the Ani DiFranco for everybody, and you don’t need to catch up on a dozen albums worth of material to jump onboard. On her third release, Bastard Daughter, Buchanan even mixes a little jaded Liz Phair along with her ruthless “I wash my sheets of your scent” lyrics.

Feminism and down and out love songs are displayed as Buchanan’s flame throwing vocals bite and smell of revenge. From power folk, to punk to soft to bitter, Bastard Daughter is Buchanan’s own mix tape. “Piggyback Ann” showers in strong punk tendencies with its simple-chords and furious drum assault, which includes a song ending five second howl. “Volcanic Lover” bursts with a pop structure that summons Alanis Morrisette, while “Body Bag” contains the shocking lyrics – “my pussy is priceless/so go ahead and shoot me.” Although Buchanan’s voice is her strongest instrument, her simple guitar hooks can somtimes shake the ground, as in the trembling “Cocaine.” Influences of The Violent Femmes and Pixies are vividly transported in Bastard Daughter, proving Buchanan is another true riot girl. If Sleater Kinney is looking for an opening act this summer, Buchanan’s number is the right dial.