Shelter

Singer Maria McKee, a small woman with a gigantic voice, has always had trouble finding the appropriate backup band and production style--on Lone Justice's second and final album, E Street Band guitarist Little Steven tries to turn her into the female Bruce Springsteen. He's partially successful: on the opening song, "I Found Love," McKee belts like a countrified Aretha Franklin, and each of her five successive "yeahs" sounds more explosive than the next. But while McKee's voice is timeless, the tinkly keyboards and thudding electronic drums make Shelter an '80s period piece. (Guitarist Shane Fontayne, who joined Lone Justice for this album, later performed in Springsteen's post-E Street backup band.) --Steve Knopper