The music has changed, but she hasn't turned into some sex kitten à la Nelly Furtado: there's nothing overtly sexual on Dignity so parents of her tween and teen fans shouldn't have a problem with the lyrics. HHH

On Waking Up Laughing this blue-eyed honey-throated thrush proves equally adept in the producers' chair (and as a co-writer) as she is behind the microphone. [MARTINA MCBRIDE] shows savvy in cranking things up and incorporating more guitars than ever into the mix. She doesn't get all Skynyrd on us, but she sounds a bit edgier and rootsier than usual. There is a positive move toward more up-tempo numbers but McBride still knows her way around a power ballad. Anyway displays a performance Celine Dion can only dream about.

Recorded in Toronto with producer Bill King and a group of that city's finest jazz musicians, there is plenty of swing and swagger. King keeps the arrangements fresh, allowing Berkal-Sarbit to have fun singing standards such as Fascinating Rhythm and I've Got a Right To Sing the Blues. There is a breezy feel to her voice on the title track, and a very pretty version of Joni Mitchell's Clouds with Lenny Solomon accompanying on violin.