Never on Sunday

Never on Sunday forgoes the dreamy a cappella arrangements of previous Chordettes efforts in favor of a bold, lush sound that couches the group's signature harmonies in dramatic strings and upbeat pop rhythms. Compared to the starkly minimalist approach of the quartet's biggest hits, at first blush the music seems as overstuffed as a late-period Phil Spector production, but the reinvention works -- the arrangements never overwhelm the harmonies, and songs like "Exodus," "Que Sera Sera," and the title cut are unlikely but inspired choices that showcase new facets of their vocal synergy. Had the Chordettes continued, their ongoing evolution would have proven fascinating. [The Japanese label Solid's 2008 paper-sleeve CD reissue appends a whopping 15 bonus cuts, including "Charlie Brown," "Pink Shoelaces," and "In the Deep Blue Sea."] ~ Jason Ankeny