*** Danielle Howle

ABOUT TO BURST

(Simple Machines)

The girl-and-guitar combination can stir souls in concert, but it rarely translates properly onto disc. Which is why Danielle Howle got a band called the Tantrums to flesh out her debut album. Together they exile themselves on a semi-acoustic Main Street that emphasizes melody, lyrics, and Howle's firm yet friendly contralto. She rips through angst-laden folk rock, bellowing "Your personality's cool, but your character sucks" on the electric album-opening "Threatened." But she's equally comfortable crooning against the gentle, blues-inflected malaise of "Red Candles" or the loping country swing of "World War Defense." About To Burst eschews Howle's offbeat humor, instead focusing on her powerful voice and flair for memorable hooks. You could call her a shy-guy's ani difranco.

-- Dan Tobin