Don't Follow Me, I'm Lost Too (Expanded)

When Pearl Harbour & the Explosions tepid skinny-tie pop didnt stoke the publics fancy, their singers future seemed uncertain: Who could have predicted that shed pull off such a rowdy, confident solo album? However, thats what happened when she moved to London -- note her stage names British spelling -- and fell into the Clashs orbit. Where the Explosions were stilted and restrained, Harbours voice is loud and freewheeling on the rockabilly driven rumble of "Out With the Girls," "Fujiyama Mama," and "Alone in the Dark." Theres not a trace of hesitation in Harbours hiccups, whoops, and yelps; she sounds comfortable in a way that listeners simply hadnt heard before. Harbours breezy self-assurance also extends to the campy girl group flippance of "Everybodys Boring but My Baby," reflective pop/rock of "Heaven Is Gonna Be Empty," token country weepers "Losing to You," and a tough, but affectionate cover of Ian Durys "Rough Kids." Harbours co-conspirators include a motley assortment from Britains punk and neo-rockabilly scenes. Former Rich Kids guitarist Stella Nova plays gutsily throughout; so do late Whirlwind singer/guitarist Nigel Dixon, pianist Otis Watkins, bassist Barry Payne, and drummer Nick Simonon (younger brother of Clash bassist Paul Simonon). Their presence provides a dynamism sorely missing from the Explosions album. Only the mixing prevents this coming-out party from being a perfect affair, leaving Novas guitar to fight for breath on "Fujiyama Mama" and "At the Dentist." However, those are minor complaints for such an inspiring effort: theres nothing heavy or depressing about it. However, the public found Harbours newly rough-hewn image as off-putting as its slicker counterpart, so the album flopped: miss out at your own peril. ~ Ralph Heibutzki