Album Review: Kate Pierson - Guitars and Microphones (Score: 7/10)

8_PAGE_SPREAD.inddKnown for her soaring, powerfully fun vocals with the B-52s, Pierson has finally crafted a solo release featuring her familiar, shiny happiness. Although Strokes guitarist Nic Valensi appears on several tracks, the sound is much more Microphones than Guitars, with a sprinkling of piano and a lot of handclaps and beats. Highlights include the wistful “Bring Your Arms” and the gender-bender “Mr. Sister”; and the final track, “Pulls You Under,” indicates that Pierson’s next move could be as a convincing torch singer should she ever abandon the Love Shack. – Brett Bush