Lene Lovich: Live from New York at Studio 54

A beguiling performer—with her birdlike chirps (and other strange utterances), distinctive look, and vaguely Eastern European vibe—singer Lene Lovich (nee Lili Marlene Premilovich, she was born in Detroit and raised in England, but her father was Serbian) made a brief splash during the heyday of New Wave after being signed by Stiff Records (home of Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, and others) in the late 1970s. But while other so-called New Wavers—Costello, Talking Heads, The Police, Devo, etc.—went on to significant careers, Lovich pretty much ended up a one-trick pony. Captured in this mildly entertaining 11-song gig, recorded in 1981 at the celebrated Manhattan disco Studio 54, Lovich's sound—like much of the music from that era—was synth-driven dance-pop boasting quirky vocals and high-energy hooks. Tunes such as "Lucky Number" (her first and biggest hit), "New Toy" (written by Thomas "She Blinded Me with Science" Dolby, a member of her band at the time), "Angels," and "Say When" are undeniably catchy, and her visual style—a sort of pre-goth combo of plaited hair, billowing skirts, and outlandish makeup (imagine a cross between The Bride of Frankenstein and The Wizard of Oz)—is also memorable. But watching this hour-shy show, you get a sense that the artist is restricted by a kind of novelty status, and the sub-par technical quality (murky, poorly lit visuals, and audio that sounds as if it was recorded with a Radio Shack condenser mike) doesn't help. An optional purchase, at best. Aud: P. (S. Graham)