The Bows of Holly

After breaking away from the Headcoatees, the Billy Childish-conceived garage girl-group for which she sang in 1995, it didn't take Holly Golightly long to find a signature sound. Though she's gone down a few different stylistic paths over the course of 14 solo albums, a Holly Golightly record is hard to miss. Considering her voice, like brandy poured from a clarinet, and a tastefully sparse backing band, it's hard not to use the word "chanteuse" when describing her. And admittedly her blend of electric blues and pre-British Invasion pop (Jimmy Reed and Lee Hazelwood form sonic goalposts) goes well with dim lights and a cool drink. Her newest album, You Can't Buy a Gun When You're Crying, is credited to the Brokeoffs — aka Holly and longtime stand-up bass player Lawyer Dave. The album goes in a more tenebrous country direction than some of her previous work, with eerie tremolo guitar and rattling percussion that sounds like bottles and hubcaps underpinning the deceptively sweet vocal duets. The album's title should give you a hint about the record's tone.

The Donkeys and the Sermon open.
Sat., Oct. 6, 9:30 p.m., 2007