wrote the bulk of her second album after a particularly painful breakup, then proceeded to work in seclusion with producer/guitarist to get the heart of the album in place. These working situations resulted in a purposefully quiet, contemplative album, but one that isn't necessarily spare. A good portion of is dressed in strings and steel guitars, occasionally buttressed by guitars whose twang is as wide as the western skies. In this hushed yet cinematic setting, ' sweet, high voice doesn't sound thin, it sounds quivering and human, an empathetic center that holds the songs together. Although the album isn't devoid of fast songs, moves at such a deliberate pace it has a melancholy air, yet it doesn't quite feel sad. Chalk that up to the simple, sturdy construction of the songs and the plaintive undercurrent in ' voice, qualities that help seem grounded and affecting. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine