Perfectly Clear (2008)

COUNTRY JEWEL Sounds like she was meant for the land of steel guitars, earnest storytelling, and Patsy-esque weepers

Pop-folkie Jewel's finally gone country on her seventh album, Perfectly Clear, and it suits her: She's an earnest storyteller, and in the land of steel guitars (and co-producer John Rich), there's no shame in tracks titled ''Love Is a Garden'' and ''Thump, Thump,'' two sweet, sway-along tunes. And though self-help single ''Stronger Woman'' is unremarkable radio fare, Jewel does conjure a few special ballads. Her thick vibrato makes desperation palpable on the Patsy-would-be-proud weeper ''Anyone but You,'' and she actually yodels with soul on the soaring ''Loved by You (Cowboy Waltz).'' B+
DOWNLOAD THIS: Hear ''Anyone but You'' on Jewel's page on ilike.com