[2/5] Jill Cunniff was in Luscious Jackson, the sassy 1990s rock-funk quartet with ties to the Beastie Boys. But like many band members turned solo, Cunniff has trouble capturing her former group's chemistry on her debut solo album, City Beach. Too many songs rely on sappy love-song clichés, bland arrangements or saccharine lyrics (a song referencing Popsicles?) that would make Chris Carrabba wince. It's the funked-up tunes, where Cunniff tempers her honey-sweet voice with horns and peppy chorus echoes ("Future Call"), or those that dabble in streetwise trip-hop ("NYC Boy") that work. Better still is the powerful "Eye Candy," a near-perfect rock song bursting with big choruses and the premium blend of electronic and organic sounds. Only on these colorful tunes does Beach capture the fun/serious dynamics of her former band. (THE MILITIA GROUP) Annie Zaleski
 Official Website: http://www.themilitiagroup.com
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