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White Magic for Lovers >>

While this British band's self-titled debut self-consciously aped the moody sprawl of Mazzy Star, White Magic is a dramatic leap in a different direction, and they don't waste a second letting you know it. "Say Hello" opens the album with sloppy loud guitar, Stereolab-esque bleeps and whistles, a Latino trumpet frill, and Brazilian chanteuse Isabel Monteiro's newly confident vocals. After that manifesto, the band makes no missteps: White Magic is startlingly original and fresh. The highlight is "El President," which features a duet with Radiohead's Thom Yorke, whose whispy soprano meshes beautifully with Monteiro's breathy (and sexy!) rasp. Perhaps Drugstore learned a trick or two from Yorke, for the songs here, like on Radiohead's OK Computer, are complex, challenging, and completely rewarding. --Tod Nelson

President >>

El President, Pt. 2 >>

Songs for the Jetset >>

Drugstore >>

The self-titled debut by the London trio Drugstore is a moody, atmospheric guitar album that could be viewed as England's answer to Mazzy Star. Thankfully, guitarist-vocalist Isabel Monteiro is a much more galvinizing performer than Hope Sandoval, and tunes such as "Speaker 12" and "Super Glider" rock a lot harder than anything David Roback has done in a while. A native of Brazil, Monteiro has a huge voice that belies her diminutive (4' 10") size. --Jim DeRogatis