In the running for Best Lyric of 2003: "When the winners of the world have kicked the shit out of you / We can kick the shit back in." This is from "Voodoo Economics", Converted Thieves' first track; it sets the witty-lyrics bar pretty high for the rest of the album, but Black Lipstick are evidently up to the challenge. Co-vocalists Phillip Niemeyer, Travis Higdon and drummer Elizabeth Nottingham treat subjects like financial woes, girlfriend-stealing and skipping work to huff paint with a philosophical, cleverly-worded flippancy that remains optimistic despite its cynicism. "Ease Back" has Niemeyer addressing girlfriend Nottingham: "Elizabeth, let's not worry about money / More than we worry 'bout us / It'll be another problem we ignore when we / Ease back."

In the songs on which Niemeyer sings lead, his monotone sneer over the music's droning, relaxed twang bears out the band's freely admitted desire to be Velvet Underground clones. Like Lou Reed, Niemeyer can't sing for shit, but his delivery renders perfect pitch (or any pitch) completely unnecessary, and any melody the vocals leave out is supplied by the instruments. The sunny guitar lead in "Serpentz" goes perfectly with a solid rhythm section, with guitarist Higdon chiming in on the choruses and lightening things up. On "Corporate Happy Hour" Higdon takes over the singing, and VU magically disappear. The music gets all twee'd out as his higher-pitched voice details kidnapping a friend from a desk job where "you spend your days in a soft chair / Where you don't have to pay for the cool air." Occasionally he switches to piano; the flourishes in "Hot Sinners", along with its snaky, infectious bassline, ensure it an extended residence in your head. "Texas Women" is Black Lipstick's extended jam, bisected by a Sonic Youth-y rock-out. Nottingham's solid but delicate drumming and Steve Garcia's bass keep the song grounded as Higdon indulges in feedback-laden guitar excursions. A bonus track (aptly titled "Bonus Tracks") is a busy but simple pop song, with pounding piano and lots of hi-hat action. It's one of the CD's catchiest tracks, and a great ending.

Black Lipstick's music is straightforward but not boring, slyly clever but not superior. Listening to Converted Thieves is like hanging out with the funny kids from high school -- the ones who could've gotten good grades but chose instead to smoke weed in the parking lot... --only you're not all insecure any more.