Mary Lou Lord - Martian Saints! EP (1996)

Less slick than her major-label debut Got No Shadow, this second of the former Boston subway busker's independent EPs really shows why she caused a buzz-bin clamor, and offers an early glimpse of not only Lord's wondrous voice but the songwriting talent of Elliott Smith. Lord's voice is crystalline-pure, communicating more emotion with a shiver or sigh than lesser Lilith-types do with a shriek. Her "Salem '76" is a sparkling acoustic gem about going home again, while Smith's "I Figured You Out" shows her again to be a master interpreter, finding sadness and resignation where others might see only anger. She's also a master scavenger, selecting covers from fine singer/songwriters, this time Bevis Frond and Pete Droge. David Daley