The Bangles (2003)

''Doll'' packs all the Bangles' trademarks: woven harmonies, melodies that knit themselves into your brain, grainy musical textures that conjure the Haight in the '60s. But skip the Elvis Costello cover the title alludes to -- those same trademarks render it innocuously pretty. Instead, get swept up in the Sundays-like ''Something That You Said.'' Savor the almost-twangy ''I Will Take Care of You.'' And cue up ''Mixed Messages'' for that frustrating object of your affection. Call it all a touch middle-of-the-road if you like, but hazy shade of winner works too.

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