Diary of a Mod Housewife
Amy Rigby has earned her indie rock/cowpunk stripes as a member of the New York bands the Shams and Last Roundup. This album was produced in large part by Cars alumni Elliot Easton and the band includes country players (session vets Greg Leisz and Don Heffington) and rockers (Ira Kaplan of Yo La Tengo, Tony Maimone of They Might Be Giants). The result sometimes recalls Nick Lowe's early '80s recordings. Call it new wave country. The country portion of the equation comes from songwriter Rigby's plainspoken honesty. Her songs are set in the subway, the used book store, on the couch in front of the TV.--Steven Stolder