KEY POINTS:
Herald rating: * * * *
For someone on whose slight shoulders massive expectation weighed - her Come Away With Me debut sold more than 20 million - Jones has taken what seems an almost casual approach to her career.
Her second album Feels Like Home sold a paltry, for her, five million - but that's about twice what the Killers' Sam's Town has done. It expanded her musical parameters with subtle country inflections, and only careless reviewers and casual listeners wrote it off as just more of the very pleasant same.
Then there was the album with the weekend band the Little Willies, the collaborations with the Foo Fighters and Outkast, and the relaxed journey to this third album.
With partner/producer and musical collaborator Lee Alexander she settled into an apartment in New York and, among other things, wrote the funny and slightly sexy Little Room (complete with slightly flat whistling) about a bedroom so small she bangs her elbow on the doorknob. It is an easily delivered song and emblematic of the overall mood.
But that can be deceptive, because Jones undercuts the musical tone with some slightly disconcerting lyrics and serious, sad reflection. Lovers are lost or farewelled, and so are cities: Sinkin' Soon may sound like a wonky New Orleans romp but is about pre-Katrina hedonism.
My Dear Country - delivered like a more gentle, satirical Brecht ballad - is a letter from a former lover to the republic which has disappointed her, one who appreciates the good things (being allowed to vote) but feels sad about the multiple betrayals.
Standouts are the gorgeous alt-country ballad Rosie's Lullaby, the title track ("I've seen people try to change and I know it isn't easy") and the separation/betrayal songs Not My Friend and Wake Me When It's Over.
And everywhere Alexander colours these melodically spare songs with adroit instrumentation, subtle inflections and touches of country-flavoured guitars.
Jones aficionados will find the maturity and music here very appealing. Again.
Verdict: Third album from massive-selling singer digs deeper but keeps an appealing lightness of touch
Label: Blue Note/EMI
