Seconds into the opening track "Trouble Maker" on Shannon and the Clams' new LP it hits you, "Holy moly! This is the best album of 2009!"

Shannon and the Clams bring to mind various girl groups and soul groups of the 1960s, but with surf and punk undertones and punch-you-in-the-face awesome vocals they have created a sound of their own. 

Songs like "You Can Come Over” have you scramblin’ to find those dancing shoes, while the melodies on "Cry Aye Aye" and "When You're On” make you wish you had the pipes to sing along.

For Shannon and the Clams, every night is prom night 1964.

Shannon and the Clams are playing an all-ages show Sunday, Nov. 29, at The Black Lodge in Seattle.

Sarah Pearce Hart works at KUPS 90.1 FM in Tacoma.