Rachael Yamagata

The promise of Rachael Yamagata's 2004 debut is consolidated on this follow-up – a razor sharp, yet expansive breakup album. Yamagata can do it all -- the lovely, chiaroscuro first half shows off her way with smoky, heartbreak ballads before she revs up the anger (and the guitars) on the rocking, scornful second half. Cuts like "What If I Leave," the country-noir "Don't" and the roaring "Accident" display an artist who understands popcraft and expressing her inner-self. She may already have everything in place but Yamagata sounds like someone who will continue to grow over the years.