In Brief

*** The Amps, “Pacer,” Elektra. Former Pixie and Breeder Kim Deal’s latest project is a quirky, casual combination of lo-fi scruffiness and arty pop. With lush melodies gliding behind clouds of delicate grit, several tracks recall the Jesus and Mary Chain, while others rant with a riot grrrl-ish fervor--though the music is ultimately more low-key than either, making for a pleasant, low-impact aural workout. The Amps appear this week with Sonic Youth at the Palladium and the Wiltern.

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).