Together for more than 10 years and massive in their native Australia, Died Pretty have inched ever closer to Stateside success. "Trace" could put them over. Mainstream rockers of a fierce proficiency, they flourish the usual virtues of a road-tested crew – stylistic variety, clean musicianship, skillful arranging. But juxtaposing keyboardist John Noey's choice fills against guitarist Brett Myers' power chords is a truly smart maneuver, and in Ronald S. Peno, the hand boasts an uncommonly supple singer. "A State of Graceful Mourning" is trenchant halladry, "110 B.P.M." crisp funk and "Harness Up (Soul's on Fire)" exultant rock that recalls the Psych Furs at their best. Well worth looking into. (RS 678)

PAUL EVANS