Coolly mellow and chillingly edgy, the Jealous Girlfriends have a small problem. They've pretty much upstaged all the headliners on their recent tours. The Brooklyn quartet came out of nowhere, releasing its debut album three years ago and then zipping around the country ever since, opening for Sea Wolf, Kevin Devine, and Nada Surf. The band is back on the road in support of its new self-titled C D. Frontwoman Holly Miranda sings with a fervor that's capable of making even the most uninterested audience members pay attention. Occasionally, she's sweet; other times, she might as well be dueling with Karen O. Songs like "Secret Identity" highlight her upper-register moans and showcase the group's shaky trip-hop rhythms. It all sounds pretty lo-fi and a little grungy in a live setting, but it makes the Girlfriends' vibe all the more real.
