Del Amitri - Twisted

Del Amitri is a straightforward Scottish guitar band that formed partly as a response to bombastic countrymen Simple Minds. The quartet's third album, Twisted, is a strong collection of ultra-melodic rock with more of a Beatles influence than in the past. As usual, the somber lyrics of tunes such as "Food for Songs" and "Here and Now" contrast with the upbeat melodies, hence the "twist" in the title. --Jim DeRogatis