Bettie Serveert "Dust Bunnies" Matador Dreaming of sugar pop while "Dust Bunnies" danced in my head, I was taken away. Where too? Well, right now I'm witnessing Bettie Serveert casting hypnotic trances on their believers. They bind you up in a whirlwind and bring you to a soft, cushy crash with their melodic sonnets. Seeing them live does bring out an edgier side, compared with the album, thanks to vocalist/lyricist/guitarist Carol van Dijk's intensity and guitarist Peter Visser's Devo-like performance. --L.K.

Alana Davis "Blame It On Me" Elektra Records You can sense Alana's jazz upbringing (dad was the noted jazz-man, Walter Davis, Jr.) in the smooth vocals on this debut album, especially in her hit, "32 Flavors"--a re-work of the Ani DiFranco tune. Like Ani and many people from Americaıs melting pot, Alana adds her distinctly personal reflections with her Sade-like, rendition, "I'm 32 flavors and then some, I never forget where I came from..." At 21, she sounds more soulful than her age. Like an old soul musician from the Charlie Parker era come back in the form of a sensual woman, Alana Davis is this generationıs female version of funky, smooth jazz. --K.G.

The Kelley Deal 6000 "Boom! Boom! Boom!" Entering stage left, members of TKD6K, all with snare drums in hand, roll out the song "Total War" to start off their succession of Breeder pop-like, smoke-filled-room charmers and rocking anthem songs. Kelley Deal steals your heart and fills it with her genuine joy of playing live. My black'n' bruised knees--results from them playing with a volunteer guest guitarist from the audience to play Iggy Pop's "I Want a Be Your Dog"--was testimony to the unintentional mayhem they can whip up. Same goes for the release "Boom! Boom! Boom!", a parade of songs filled with all the circus delights of their live show. New West Records/Nice Records, 1043 Grand Ave #262, St. Paul, MN 55104. --L.K.

Olive "Extra Virgin" RCA Records They call this electronica pop. I thought it was super ambient that's dark and torchy, thanks to the vocals of Ruth-Ann Boyle and her back-up mates, Robin Taylor-Firth on percussion, and Tim Kellett on strings and keyboards. The story goes that Kellett, who was originally with Simply Red and played with Taylor-Firth on occasion, found the angle-voiced Boyle by accident while playing a gig in Portugal and listening to her sampled voice where they were recording. The result was a trio thatıs taken the Britıs by surprise: They were a hit as an import in the U.S. before their own home country. Olive impresses me most with its drum 'n' bass sound mixed with dubby jazz. Topped with Ruth-Ann's lofty vocals, it deviates from the more common elements of electronica, which makes it cool to listen to when youıre in the mood for taking a bath or painting with water colors in the light of a candle. --K.G.

Tarnation "Mirador" Reprise "I had a dream where heaven and hell met at 90 degree angles. Destiny flew by and stars shot out of the sky. Shoe fly shoe. The rocking chair creeks with a sedate sadness while warm sweet pellets of sweat evaporate in the stillness of the night air." I want to welcome you to the wonderful world of Tarnation. Twelve hauntingly, moving and amazingly well-written profiles of Americana documented in what has to be one of the best releases of '97. Mirador is a timeless masterpiece and Paula Frazer sheer perfection. Her mesmerizing vocal style sends shivers up my spine and is enough to comfort me in a room full of strangers. The obvious tales of country lore, broken hearts, and shattered dreams emerge brilliantly throughout. I visualize her dreams, I feel her passions, I know her sadness, I speak her kindness. A heart-felt sincerity that circulates only once in a great while is what Tarnation has to offer. Listen once and youıre sure to come back for more. --Julie Gengo