was the second album released in 1996, but its richness suggests a longer period of evolution. From the first warm notes of it's clear that 's voice -- as a singer and a songwriter -- is not only stronger and more focused, but more empathetic as well. Where her previous works were dense and cathartic, gives her voice and lyrics space to unfurl and involve the listener; the title track alone holds an album's worth of eloquence in 's hushed, clear vocals, backed by guitar, feedback, and an eerie, echoing piano. Fortunately, that leaves 11 other tracks with which to forge a fine balance between angular, angst-ridden punk and her gentler, folk-country tendencies. Different combinations of these extremes make 's sound more diverse but also more cohesive. Tense, tight songs like and retain the reflective, thoughtful nature of quieter numbers like which turn the power of the album's louder moments into slow-building, implosive tension. Two of 's finest moments, are unabashedly blues and country-inflected, revealing not just as a cathartic vocalist, but as a true soul singer. Similarly, her covers of ' 's show off 's ability to make any song a song. An intimate, personal album, makes imperfection beautiful and turns vulnerability into musical strength. ~ Heather Phares