In the stack of new CDs is Lydia Lunch's latest, Smoke in the Shadows. Lydia's moved on from dishing out aggressive transgressive spleen and settled into the persona of a film noirish siren. Her songs have evolved from litanies of complaints and rants into, well, songs with real singing and an ecumenical desperation.

Running to daddy, he can't help you
Praying to Jesus, didn't save you
Calling on Shiva, did he hear you
Summon a witch, she can't protect you

Overall it sounds like Lydia has moved into the LA of sleazy motels that Tom Waits used to haunt. She's helped by Nels Cline's contributions on the musical side--following the same groove set by their earlier Anubian Nights collaboration. It is easily her most enjoyable musical outing since mixing it up with assorted members of the Birthday Party in the early 80s. The music here is consistent enough to cohere as an album, while at the same time having some surprising, for her portfolio, variety. There's a mambo rhythm, vibes, stand-up bass, and contributions from ex-Contortion Adele Bertei and ex-Geraldine Fibber Carla Bozulich. At this point in her career, which I guess started with Eno's 1978 w York album, most people know wheteher they like or hate her. If you're partial, check it out.  ¶ 4:55 PM