Salt Peter

Scottish singer Lesley Rankine, former vocalist for the punk band Silverfish, and collaborator Mark Walk attack the subject of sexuality's contradictions utilizing a hypnotic blend of programmed trip-hop and Rankine's chameleon-like vocals. Her strangely powerful voice, and the album's vaguely menacing lyrics, draw the listener into an atmosphere that is by turns sexually provocative and sinister. Even the album-title itself--salt peter being a substance known to ignite dynamite as well as dampen the male libido--plays off this tension.

Rankine is always in control, as she illustrates on "Heidi," singing in a deceptively gentle voice ("I can speak softly because I have so much power"), allowing the occasional hint of a Bjork-style growly trill to betray her vocal strength. On other tracks, like the biting "Tiny Meat," Rankine sneers in a voice raw with blunt emotion, eschewing any hint of shrillness. SALT PETER is captivating and disturbing--and, ultimately, unshakable.