MERRITT, TIFT

The title of Tift Merritt's third album refers to her move from Tennessee to Paris following the release of 2004's TAMBOURINE. Ironically, settling in another country has allowed Merritt to write some of the most purely country- and folk-oriented songs of her career, with less of the rock and 1960s R&B influence of her earlier albums. Full of simple, spacious arrangements and heavy on minor-key ballads, ANOTHER COUNTRY is reflective without sounding downcast, with songs such as the wistful title track and the delicate opener, "Something To Me," providing the template for most of the album. Another highlight is the quietly stunning closer, "Mlle. Tendresses," a cocktail lounge ballad sung in French that recalls the commingling of country, pop, and cabaret on k.d. lang's INGENUE.

Estimated despatch 5-10 days after ordering.