Fridae

Upon receiving her complimentary copy of Ms Anna Nalick's debut album, Ms Scary is simply astounded by how much the singer-songwriter resembles the long-lost twin sister of lesbian favourite Gillian Anderson aka Special Agent Scully from The X-Files on her CD cover.

Luscious looks aside, Ms Nalick's Wreck Of The Day offers 11 tracks of contemporary chick pop-rock which showcases her polished vocals, catchy melodies and growing-pained lyrics. And it also boasts an impressive production team comprising Blind Melon's Christopher Thorn and Brad Smith as well as Eric Rosse (Tori Amos), Zak Rae (Alanis Morrissette, Macy Gray) and Joey Waronker (Beck, Nelly Furtado).

Throughout the album, the native Californian - who cites a wide range of musical influences from Fiona Apple to Tori Amos - sounds like the heir apparent to Ms Alanis Morissette (most notably in "Paper Bag"), channels Ms Dolores-wail-like-a-weeping-widow-O'Riordan in "In My Head" and croons oh-so-vulnerably on Natalie Merchant type ballads such as "Wreck Of The Day" and "Forever Love."

But before you put the back of your hand to your forehead and exclaim: "Not another female singer-songwriter wallowing in perpetual PMS angst!", Ms Scary would advise you to give Wreck Of The Day a chance - and you may just find yourself pleasantly surprised with an album that repays you with repeat listens.

Scary's Selected Spins: "Breathe (2 am)," "Citadel," "Paper Bag," "Wreck Of The Day," "Forever Love" and "In My Head."