Bettie gives Pittsburgh something to love

‘ ‘ For music lovers whose tastes run to the more unique end of the alternative rock genre’s… ‘ ‘ For music lovers whose tastes run to the more unique end of the alternative rock genre’s offerings, LoveBettie is the hottest band in the Pittsburgh music scene. ‘ ‘ ‘ The band’s debut album, …And We’re Never Coming Back, is classic alternative rock with inventive twists, creating a sound spiked with flairs of other influences ranging from pop to blues. The album features enticing hooks and well-crafted melodies as well as a solid lyrical effort throughout, maintaining a good standard of expression where not profound. ‘ ‘ ‘ The album represents a variety of composition styles, with tempos running the gamut from heart pounding to gentle. There are songs for the broken hearted as well as those newly in love and much in between. ‘ ‘ ‘ Since its founding in 2005, LoveBettie performed regularly on the regional Pittsburgh music scene, experimenting with its music before recording its debut for a late November release in 2008. Fronted by singer and keyboardist Alexandra Naples, singer and guitarist C.T. Fields, bass guitarist Matt Sharrow and drummer J. Banks make up LoveBettie. ‘ ‘ ‘ The album takes its title from the forceful track ‘Crumble:’ ‘Bring the white horse to my door / And we’ll leave this place / And we’re never coming back / No we’re never coming back.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘Lies’ has a more folksy sound to it, ‘Don’t come crawling back my way / When every single word you say / Is lies.’ Songs featuring male and female voices in tandem are something of a rarity in current music, making the duet between Naples and Fields an intriguing composition. ‘ ‘ ‘ The lilting ballad ‘Blue Skied’ has a mournful lullaby vibe to it, showcasing Naples’ soulful vocals with dreamy lyrics. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘World is Falling’ has a similarly ethereal dystopian feel to it. Simultaneously the longest track and the track with the fewest lyrics, the song might benefit from slightly less repetition and fewer instrumental segments but is very easy to listen to nonetheless ‘mdash; provided one was in an appropriately disconsolate frame of mind. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘Marionette’ is a song as creepy as its namesake, with disconcerting echoes and hard guitar riffs. The lyrics complete the dark tableau, ‘Your eyes flutter by like butterflies / Cleansing the sun from the skies.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ The album takes some swoops in emotional tone, from desolate, ‘It’s hard to keep smiling / When you feel like you’re dying,’ in ‘Worst of Me’ to tentatively life-affirming, ‘I don’t want to live like I don’t want to live / I got better things to do,’ in ‘Honestly,’ but maintains sincerity throughout. ‘ ‘ ‘ LoveBettie chose its name by pulling words at random out of a hat, exhibiting an affinity for the random that can be clearly observed in its musical influences. The style shifts from song to song, deftly maneuvering out of clear classification in a specific niche. Through this experimentation, a clear and promising new sound has emerged on the scene.