Veiled
Leah Andreone, RCA
Four stars (out of five)

While America sighs to the moans of Alanis, in slides a truly talented woman who can not only issue high-pitched voice cracks but can write her own songs based on wildly realistic adventures. Andreone is the real thing: her voice is impish-meets-mannish and she effortlessly changes pace from monotone rap to a driving rain of yelps and moans. "Come Sunday Morning" is a bangy, heavy ride of music nailed shut with Andreone's seeping pipes. She knows her range.

The best stuff here includes the radio hit "It's Alright It's OK," where she really slices up the song and leaves the remnants as little shards of dressing for the full sandwich. "Happy Birthday" is a brilliant moment: her soft, whiny voice rises and falls to the music only to take the ultimate big step on the powerful chorus. She can be soft and pure, as on "Imagining You," and rough and humble, as on "Will You Still Love Me." But she's not really angry, just rather smart.

Ed Symkus