I Am Shelby Lynne [Import]

I've got some advice for you. BUY THIS ALBUM. If you give it a couple of listens and don't like it, I will personnally give you your money back. I may even pay for the operation too...

But the similarities are only skin deep. Whilst Crow's material basks in the 1000 mega-watt light of promotional publicity, Lynne spurns such activity. Crow has been the darling of the mainstream media since her more-than-adequate debut in the mid-90s, plodding a slow, steady, predictable path of TV appearances, glossy mag covers and Bond themes to a position of music industry nomenclature - a position she can milk for the rest of her life without ever having to make an outstanding record.

Alabama native Shelby Lynne on the other hand, has suffered years as a Nashville stable also-ran, producing formulaic album after album that straight jacketed a talent which has come bursting onto the scene with this album. The title says it all: "This is the real me, this is what I can do!"

The result is a collection of songs that , whilst stylistically similar to much of Sheryll Crow's material, is much stronger, musically, lyrically and emotionally than that of the west-coast darlin'. The soulful "Leavin'", the bayouesque "Where I'm From", and the Specter-inspired "Your Lies" all sound genuine, heartfelt musical expression, rather than exercises in style. "Life is Bad", a gruff slice of bar stool philosophy and "Why Can't You Be?" are juicy chunks of rootsy blues pie, whilst "Thought it Would be Easier", "Dreamsome" and "Gotta Get Back" are laid-back, jaunty melodies that you'll have trouble shifting from your head. The Gumbo girl rounds it off with the jazzy coda "Black Light Blue".

Whether it was the indignity of the Nashville experience, or a natural aversion, Lynne has so far spurned all the marketing hype. But the good will out, and this album is a genuine wonder. Like Macy Gray's triumph of last year, it looks like this one's going to be a slow burner, building up a head of steam through word of mouth alone. And believe me, once you hear it, you won't be able to stop talking about it.