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THE BADS - So Alive (Mana Music)

If you've never heard of Kiwi group the Bads, you've still heard of the Bads - it wouldn't make any sense for a record this accomplished to come from nowhere. The core of the group is duo Dianne Swann and Brett Adams - and together they've been playing since 1992. Formerly known as the Julie Dolphin (and a few other incarnations in between), The Bads' second album finds them in top shape, with a flawless country-indie-rocking-popping blend that doubtless led their appointment as Lucinda Williams' support act of choice. Swann's voice is magic (no wonder Thom Yorke recorded a duet with her!) though the voices in harmony are better still. Enjoy the Bads while we have them - it seems the whole world wants a piece of them! MC

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