It's tough these days for straightforward rock and roll performers; it seems that unless you hail from one of those Scandanavian countries that are so hip right now, you've got no chance to gain credibility playing rootsy, personal songs on traditional instruments. This problem is only exacerbated for female artists of this type, who risk being tarred with a "Lilith Fair" tag at the slightest hint of assertive folk-rock tendencies. Okay. What I really mean is that I was ready to slap a "Lilith Fair" tag on this album when I heard the decidedly assertive folk-rock tendencies of "Love Song To Me", the first track. Fortunately, Splendid has writing guidelines (No, seriously, we do) that specifically prohibit dismissing an album by listening only to the first track. The wisdom of this admonition, which is sometimes a hard rule to live by, is borne out by the rest of this, Ms. Pipitone's fourth solo album.

It turns out that, contrary to my dismissive first impression, this album can really rock, albeit in a genteel sort of way. Think Paul Simon's Graceland, but without the exotic backing instrumentation. The title track, particularly, bears out this comparison, with its sinuous rhythm and bongo accompaniment. "Flags Fly" stands out as one of the only good "I had a kid and I'm writing a song about it" tracks I've ever heard, and features the best zydeco accordion backing I've heard since...Paul Simon's Graceland. To belabor a point. There is also a nod to Dylanesque folk, "Hartland Blues", which is graceful and direct, as well as a full-tilt bar rocker ("Baby Doll") and a New Orleans-style bluesy shuffle ("What Do You Do When You Don't Know What To Do?").

I have to apologize thoroughly for nearly grouping you with Paula Cole, Alison. You deserve much better (if shorter) company.