TheStart
Shakedown!
(The Label/Geffen)

TheStart’s debut album “Shakedown!” would’ve been one of the great albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Unfortunately for early punk and new wave fans, “Shakedown!” wasn’t made until earlier this year.

TheStart got its start when vocalist Aimee Echo and drummer Scott Ellis abandoned defunct cult band Human Waste Project, and hooked up with guitarist Jamie Miller of Snot. The trio had toured and lived together previously and was in the early stages of developing TheStart when it recruited bassist Jeff Jaeger, from the Sacramento band Smirch.

The resulting album is a shining compilation of new wave standards and recent retro rock. The CD sounds like a mix of The Cure, Garbage and Orgy.

Outstanding new wave songs, such as “Communion” and “Hang On Me” guide you through the album, which also includes the more pop-driven “Shakedown!”

The album’s similarity to Orgy may be more than coincidence because TheStart’s producer, Josh Abraham, also worked on Orgy’s 1998 release “Candyass.”

Echo, who wrote all the lyrics for the album, has an eerily compelling voice that’s similar to Garbage’s Shirley Manson. Although her lyrics are occasionally trite and poppy, Echo’s voice convinces you there is more to them.

Jamie Miller’s guitar work is reminiscent of U2’s “The Edge” on the 1980 album “Boy.” Miller is also responsible for the synthesizer that is interspersed throughout the album.

Jaeger’s addition to the band was important because the punk sensibilities of his bass playing infects and authenticates the album, especially on “Nemesis.”

“Shakedown!” may not be the most original album, but it’s better than most of its predecessors. It would have been a classic if it had been released 20 years ago, but better late than never.