#3: Tift Merritt - 'Tambourine'

Unlike Patty Griffin, Tift Merritt is an artist in search of her defining sound. Tambourine has the whiff of a make-it-or-break-it album, complete with splashy L.A. production and backing from a fine cast of top-drawer musicians. Lost Highway (owned by Universal) even ponied up for a gen-u-ine music video filmed in freakin’ Italy. Tambourine has put off some fans of her first record, a decidedly more low-key, less hip-shakin’ affair. But the new album is everything you could want from an record – rock, soul, R&B, folk, often dressed up with horn sections and walls of guitar. Merritt’s stellar vocals occasionally get overshadowed, and it’s not invalid to wonder what will come next if this record fails to connect with new fans. But I say enjoy the ride. Tift Merritt will be writing and recording for years to come (perhaps on smaller labels with less money), and it is a rare treat indeed to see a major label toss a big pile of cash at someone so worthy and so talented.