Additional personnel: Emily Saliers, Amy Ray (vocals).

Brandi Carlile is a singer-songwriter who truly deserves the title. Blessed with a beautiful voice, a keen sense of melody, and a penchant for smart, evocative lyrics, Carlile writes songs that slip easily into the listener's ears and go straight to the blood. The artist's sophomore effort, THE STORY, released in 2007, represents a significant maturation over her already excellent 2005 self-titled debut.

Produced by the legendary T-Bone Burnett, THE STORY has an urgent, stripped-down feel that nevertheless gleams with lush, lovely atmosphere. Backed by a full band, Carlile's sound is muscular yet intimate, falling somewhere between country, rock, and folk. It's a satisfying listen any way you slice it, one that will appeal especially to fans of the alt country and new folk movements.