On her lovely 2002 debut, ex-Whiskeytown violinist-vocalist Cary proved she could front a band. But while that disc had a Brit folk-rock sound, this time she's back in alt-country territory. Sonically veering between Mary Chapin Carpenter (who sings backup here) and Patsy Cline, Out reflects the benefits of spending a year on the road before piling into the studio. It brims with beautiful, confidently delivered tunes about love...and all its inherent dangers.

