Morningwood–Morningwood (Capitol/EMI)

CD Cover for Morningwood–Morningwood.

Another New York City alternative/retro-punk rock band that seems to be following the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ lead, but with a little more trashypop appeal. Lead singer Chantal Claret has plenty of sass, sounding an awful lot like Emily Haines from Metric, with splashes of Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders and Pat Benatar…you get the drift. Catchy melodies, raunchy and energetic guitars from Philip Shouse, and phat basslines from Petro “Pedro” Yanowitz (formerly of the Wallflowers), makes Morningwood the real deal, providing they can follow through with a solid sophomoric release. —CQ