Paula Frazer (2003) A Southern girl with a ghostly voice, Frazer spent a while fronting Tarnation, a band whose '95 "Gentle Creatures" (on 4AD) is a lost classic… Paula Frazer
EW's GRADE
B+

Details Release Date: Sep 30, 2003; Lead Performance: Paula Frazer

A Southern girl with a ghostly voice, Frazer spent a while fronting Tarnation, a band whose '95 ''Gentle Creatures'' (on 4AD) is a lost classic of ethereal folk-rock that sounds like the Cocteau Twins drifting through a Cormac McCarthy novel. This set of demos functions as an excellent best-of, featuring moony, naked versions of songs from her former band as well as her slept-on 2001 solo debut, ''Indoor Universe.'' ORNITHOLOGY Fans of odd backcountry thrushes should check out Jolie Holland, whose ''Catalpa'' (Anti-) is full of dark waltzes and creaky Cat Power-style purring.

Originally posted Nov 21, 2003 Published in issue #738 Nov 21, 2003 Order article reprints