Luscious Jackson: Natural Ingredients (Grand Royal)

IF BLONDIE had met the Beastie Boys, Deborah Harry might still be the leader of the pack. And Natural Ingredients may be almost preternaturally accessible because its combination plate of girl croon and New York grooves immediately evokes the tastiest elements of both of the above. Still, with disses — like 'Energy Sucker''s "I'm a goddess, not your mother!" — Luscious Jackson confronts their too many creeps with an utter joy and lack of cynicism that never comes naturally to native New Yorkers or punks, the aforementioned included.