Tommy and June - Tommy & June (CD)

Since Fat Wreck Chords began nearly 30 years ago, people have associated the label with a certain sound, and it's safe to say it bears little resemblance to Tommy and June. The self-titled debut from the mysterious duo lacks the aggressive, overdriven power of the bands on Fat Wreck's Mount Rushmore. Tommy and June's 10 tracks stick mostly to acoustic guitars, breathy vocal harmonies, and a spirit indebted to Pete Seeger as much as Pete Shelley. But this isn't power chords on acoustic guitars, or punks unplugging for novelty's sake. Delicate finger-picking carries "Lonely Train," "Adulthood," and closer "Young Man Bones," for instance. "Better Life Story" and "Monogamist" bounce with a folky jauntiness. "Mary Unfaithful" is a straight-up pop song that should soundtrack a montage in a romantic comedy. In a good way.