*** Congo Norvell

ABNORMALS ANONYMOUS

(Jetset)

Congo Norvell know how to rebound. After their second album, The Dope, the Lies, the Vaseline, was scrapped at the last minute by their record company (it still hasn't been released), vocalist Sally Norvell and guitarist Kid Congo Powers moved from LA to New York, signed with Jetset, and re-emerged with Abnormals Anonymous, their finest collection of tunes so far. So it's not surprising that this disc has a tougher edge than their earlier work -- especially on the rambunctious "Johnny in the Boudoir," which loads up on distorted organ and yelping vocals. The prevailing mood is still dark and creepy, both as to music (lotsa heavy reverb and spaghetti-western guitar) and in terms of lyrics (most of these songs deal with rather unusual family relationships). Powers's résumé -- Gun Club, Cramps, Bad Seeds -- should give you some idea of where he's coming from. But it might not fully prepare you for where he's arrived, through the splendor of Norvell's spook-chanteuse singing and the equally powerful vocals of Abnormals Anonymous guest star Mark Eitzel.

-- Mac Randall

(Congo Norvell open for Jonathan Fire*Eater next Thursday, November 20, upstairs at the Middle East. Call 864-EAST.)