This CD wasn't supposed to happen. All Patty Spiglanin wanted was to be in a band. She didn't care about fame, let alone fortune. She just loved (and loves) music. She formed a group called The Naked Barbies which eventually changed its name to the "Vagabond Lovers" (note to aspiring musicians: check on potential trademark infringement BEFORE you print your business cards! It's cheaper that way and no, you're not too small for someone to notice you). They started playing around the San Francisco area, and became incredibly popular in an area that will eat a band alive if they aren't any good. Then they played SXSW, Lilith Fair, toured with established artists like Chris Isaak and Guy Clark, to incredible response. They even self-produced and released three CDs on their own. Now, the "Vagabond Lovers" finally have a major label debut.

Well, let's see, anything to complain about here? Vocals? Nope. Patty Spiglanin doesn't have the vocal strength of say, Mariah Carey, but her voice is more than up to the task of taking on her songs. The songs? First-rate, with more hooks than a Birmingham, Alabama bait-and-tackle store. The instrumentation? Hey, we've got journeymen players here that are comfortable with their instruments and their material. The production strikes a nice balance between Ms. Spiglanin's voice and the music. This is perfect for this CD, which is one of the first in a long time that contains lyrics worth listening to over and over again.

The lyrics here are anything but the usual "riot grrrl" anger that slants so much of alternative music today. Take "Junkie." The p.o.v. is from a woman in love with a loser who is strung out on drugs. He refuses her medicine but continues to poison himself. When she talks of a home and a family, he tells her to "get real" - this from a drug addict. Ms. Spiglanin is simply perfect on this track, her soft, gentle voice almost whispering the lyrics, refraining from hitting the listener over the head with the irony that is there for anyone who wants to hear it.

"Midnight Radio," an ode to an all-night disc jockey, has "single" written all over it. Then there's "For Sale Sign," in front of the house, telling the world that her lover is gone. Again, Ms. Spiglanin's understated vocals, and the band's spare arrangements, enhance rather than drown out the gentle angst of the lyrics. The material, and the band, is strong enough that they don't have to shout to keep their audience awake. The songs are so good that we're waiting to see what happens next.

How good are the "Vagabond Lovers?" Well, they can take a played-too-much-forever-and-for-all-time chestnut like "Drive" by The Cars and make it worth listening to more than once. While this track might be a standout on the CD of a lesser-talented band, however, on "Whe I Was You" it is a welcome curiosity which leads to the greater, grander treasures of the original material.

This is a band worth searching out on CD for their earlier, self-released material, as well as for their concert appearances. Highly recommended.