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The Secret Life Of...

by The Veronicas

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Good thing we live in an age of internet-accessible lyrics. Otherwise, millions of teenage girls might find themselves mumbling through this collection of burn-the-joint-down pop instead of belting it out, which will be not only their first instinct but also their feverish, feverish desire. As a flip through about any teen magazine confirms, the Veronicas are a pair of identical twins from Australia who ooze coltish charm, volatility, and an aversion to jugheaded songcraft. Their debut does not belie the glossy claims: "4ever," the single leading the flock, crashes the gate with a punk-slanting, slightly Avril Lavigne-y boy tease, and though the energy stalls a bit on sleepers like "Speechless" and "Nobody Wins," it more than resurrects itself with the smart lyrics of "Secret" and the lathered-on boldness of "Mother, Mother," the most smokin' track Lindsay Lohan never sang. Part Bangles, part Benatar, and all babe, the Veronicas have crafted a 12-song bender that crushes the short-skirted competition. -Tammy La Gorce