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PASADENA WEEKLY
July 3, 2003

By Bliss

FEATHERMERCHANTS, Unarmed Against the Dark (Innocent 12 St.): The timbre
of frontwoman Shannon Kennedy�s sweetly dusky soprano is so similar to
Natalie Merchant�s that comparisons are unavoidable � if you don�t like
Merchant-era 10,000 Maniacs, you�ll have difficulty acquiring a taste
for the latest offering (in stores Tuesday) from these New York-based
indie rockers. Less noticeably Middle Eastern in flavor than their last
album (excepting �Sitting Henry� and �Reptile Mind�) and mostly
midtempo, but the flowing rhythms (not to mention guest appearances by
Rolling Stones/Allman Brothers keyboardist Chuck Leavell) should entice
noodle dancers.