Domestic bliss in a bottle

Brooklyn-by-way-of-Buffalo singer-guitarist Leah Archibald splits her time between housewife-mom and rocker chick, and on her second Wide Right album the domestic vicissitudes of the former frequently provide lyric fodder for the latter. Accordingly, reviewers have been quick to single out tunes such as “Taking The Fifth,” in which a gal’s frustration at waking up day after day to a hapless spouse and unruly kids finally boils over and she literally takes the fifth, hitting the bar early and ordering up a bottle. But don’t worry; Wide Right’s no candidate for Mamapalooza (Housewives on Prozac, et al.). This is a tight-as-latex trio — Archibald, Brendan O’Malley (Lovechild), Dave Rick (Phantom Tollbooth, Bongwater) — assisted by an array of Detroit chums, among them producer Jim Diamond and members of the Sirens and Dirtbombs. And like true rock ’n’ roll underdogs, they come out swinging cut after cut: Blondiesque power-popper “Blue Skies Ahead,” glammy Gary Glitter homage “Buffalo Fight Song,” a New York Dolls-styled reworking of Loretta Lynn’s “The Pill.” In lusty garage rave-up “Junior High School Dream” Archibald and company even conjure up the ghost of the late, great Fanny. In fact, in my mind I picture Archibald, Joan Jett, and Fanny’s June and Jean Millington tossing back shots and leaning against some dive’s jukebox. Put another dime in, baby.

Fred Mills writes about music for Metro Times. Send comments to [email protected].