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Betty Moon: Reincarnated Soul-Stirring

Move over Ziggy Stardust, there's a new lyrical avatar in town. She goes by the name of Betty Moon, and she is the persona of all that is darkly mystical and divinely magical. Like the fabled sirens of Odysseus injected with a shot of testosterone, her strong haunting voice will pull you in and hold you captive until you are lost in the 14 waves that wash over you on Stir, Betty Moon's self- produced debut album. To the accompaniment of power riffs that would seem at home on an old Ozzy Osbourne record, Betty Moon sings out her spells and incarnations, weaving a tapestry that any fan of goth music will love. Through her songs, she offers up prayers to unknown gods, such as, "I sing for thee sweet Carrie sweet sweet revenge," in "Revenge." For one brief moment, it even seems like Betty Moon has somehow managed to entice the spirit of Jim Morrison himself away from Jeff Martin of the Tea Party long enough to channel the acoustic and somewhat 'Doorsian' sounding track "The Flame."

But Betty Moon is not satisfied conjuring up gods and ghosts of the past. Her black ambition has her carving out her own path - a path that, according to journalist Susan Gregor, could see her "gearing for the big stage." Whether belting out musical chants about vampires in "Vampire's Choice," or spinning tender ballads like "Anything," she will captivate and entertain you.

Goth rock has a new queen in the reincarnated soul that is Betty Moon. Sleep with one eye open and watch for her to mesmerize the crowd at Zaphod Beeblebox on Friday, Sept. 12. Pick up Stir. Check out her website at www.bettymoon.com. Be warned, though, do not listen to Stir alone and never, never, repeat the name Betty Moon three times while staring into a mirror at midnight. You have been warned.

Paul Wylde