Reviewed by Tony Cummings

IN THE MAINSTREAM Ever since Juliet's 'Let's Hear It For The Pizza' for Sticky Music took us off guard in 1996, Cross Rhythms has been telling anyone who'd listen that this wonderful singer from Omagh, Co Tyrone, is a star in the making. Of course, today in her native Irish homeland she is (her 'Burn The Black Suit' shifted a fair few units there) and it's great to find this delightful set nestling in the HMV racks. Juliet's relationship songs here don't give many clues to her Christian beliefs though she does tell one man that "Maybe this time we can show a little faith/Maybe this time we can be true" while "The Signal And The Noise" declares how "You blew it out, deplete the source/Love bought and sold, the Great Divorce" - which sounds like The Fall to me. Elsewhere, Juliet's take on a first romance "1987" is beautifully told while her musical picture of a weak man and a faithless woman "Vampire" is grippingly memorable ("Moan fog horn, moan, for the leaving of the boat/You know that she's a vampire, but you still offer her your throat"). I can't grasp every image or concept of this most fascinating of songwriters. What I do know though is the sharp production - from the swaying neo reggae of the opener "The Greatest Show On Earth" to the appealing of cod jazz closer "Sugartown" - plus Juliet's spine-tingling, sultry voice keeps you gripped. A big talent, our Juliet.

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