Anne McCue (2004)

If Anne McCue, like up-and-comer Kathleen Edwards, represents a new generation of hard-bitten, country-inflected singer-songsmiths drawing deep inspiration from Lucinda Williams, don't fault her for it. She could do worse for role models, and -- also like Edwards -- is forging a unique voice from the influence. The songwriting on McCue's hooky third solo record often teeters between bold and heavy-handed: ''Stupid'' celebrates an aborted suicide, and ''50 Dollar Whore'' is a self-esteem-building exercise that's emotionally miles away from Christina Aguilera's ''Beautiful.'' But the thrill is hearing her fearless vaults into risky territory -- check the squalling, nine-plus-minute version of Jimi Hendrix's ''Machine Gun.'' ANOTHER CHICK WHO CAN SING AND WRITE Long Island-bred, Nashville-based folksinger Mindy Smith's ''One Moment More'' (Vanguard) reveals a serious talent coming into focus.