2008's finely crafted but slow moving tribute to Dusty Springfield,

, seems to have divided up the fans a bit. I loved it, but, judging from the reviews on these pages, others either disliked it because they felt the performances didn't compare favorably with the Springfield originals, or because it wasn't what they expected of Ms. Lynne. This new CD finds Shelby firmly back on track, writing all the songs, and sounding better than ever, if perhaps a bit down.

There's a fair amount of variety here, but the album does tend toward the somber, and the instrumentation is sparse and often so subtle that it takes repeated play to notice all the nuances and bits of virtuosity by the supporting players. Yet this factor is also what makes this collection of tunes so charming, despite the sadness and occasional anger conveyed in many of them. Lynne is not a flamboyant artist, and is not interested in proving every second that she's a technically brilliant vocalist. No screaming or running up and down the scales - just good, straightforward phrasing with attention paid most to lyric and melody. These songs convey emotion through Lynne's words and the sweetness and delicacy of the instrumentals. Although this is at a heart a country album, it's not a typical one, in that it does not strive for either a stereotypical country sound, or for commercialism - no hit singles here except maybe the opening rocker, "Rains Came." This is mostly a quiet, adult record, yet not without some energy (although the most up-tempo tracks are the first two, with slight lifts coming in on two mid-tempo tracks in the middle, and the next-to-last song). Listen to the gently driving "Family Tree," reminiscent of the southwestern folk sound of Calexico. "Something to Be Said About Airstreams" is a sweet, nostalgic homage to living on the road and reminds me a little of the songs of John Gorka (his "Airstream Bohemians" came to mind), and Greg Brown. "Loser Dreamer" is especially moving, with a lyric that hits me where I live, and the effect is magnified through a haunting, atmospheric arrangement. "Old # 7" has some nice electric slide guitar, and the next track, "Old Dog," features vigorous acoustic guitar with a bluesy folk sound and some fine male backup vocals doing the harmony. The final ballad, "Home Sweet Home," is one of the best, most personal songs in this set, with Lynne expressing exhaustion from touring and a longing for the comforts and stability of home life; always nice when an album ends on a high!

My one complaint is that the CD is so brief. It wasn't expensive, though, and I'd rather have a solid, short recording, then a longer, less cohesive one. All and all, a fine offering from an artist who still has much more to say. I'll follow her as long as she keeps making music at least as good as TEARS, LIES AND ALIBIS.

Recently saw Shelby live in NYC and she is spellbinding. She played most of "Tears, Lies..." in the same spare, elegant manner on the cd, and she was mesmerising. Alibi is one of the great ballads of the 21st century. See her live, buy her music, she's as real and beautiful as it gets.

She reminds me of nobody. Nobody reminds me of her. She stands alone. She sings to some of my deepest and most secret concerns and experiences. Shelby has the guts to be... Only the works of Edgar Allan Poe have moved me similarly. I should mention that her voice is as enthralling as it is in tune. I like the variety of her works. Shelby, I would like your next offering to be just you and your guitar...unvarnished and intimate.

Ms Lynne is an outstanding songwriter and singer. This album is a return to more personal material for her. Last album was all covers. She's been a c-w singer, rocker, pop artist and back to c-w. Beautiful and talented. Deserves the big time.

...expect from a wonderful singer!! Though not a "country" fan, I have made an exception for Shelby Lynne (and her little sister Allison Moorer), and she has never disappointed me. Of course, she's not really "country", nor "rock", nor "jazz" (see "Temptation"), though she's been all of those and more. Though her albums are all in the same voice, one could easily believe that they're by different girls. Even the jacket photos over the years, which have ranged from gorgeous (as here) to ??? could have been not the same girl. She doesn't "fit", and that's probably why she's not the best-known singer in America.

The present offering again finds Shelby in no-girl's land, but the music is wonderful. You can her her country roots, but this is way more than country. Kind of sad thru much of the disc, but feeling pain with her is something I've never minded. The title cut, "Alabi" and track nine, "Old Dog", are particularly well done. But, heck, the whole record is well done.

Once again, Shelby defies classification, and once again she is perfection. She ought to be more widely known, but if she were, she might be "Shelby", and that would be a crying shame!!