Back Roads

's debut album introduced an approach that would, in most essential respects, vary little over the next decade: gentle, slightly mournful country/folk songs with a strong narrative voice, and a semi-rural Californian ambience with the frequent evocation of golden, natural landscapes. Even at this stage, stood out from the pack with her restrained, tasteful vocals, sincere compositions that avoided maudlin cliches, and careful, almost diligent arrangements. ~ Richie Unterberger