Harmonium

Vanessa Carlton returns with her highly anticipated sophomore album, "Harmonium." With the release of her first album, "Be Not Nobody," Vanessa was met with great response. Rolling Stone listed her as one of the "Ten Artists to Watch for 2002" and sure enough, her 2002 debut, "Be Not Nobody" was nominated for 3 Grammy awards and sold over 3 million albums worldwide.

Now Vanessa is back poised to exceed the accomplishments of her debut. With the help of her producer Stephan Jenkins (3rd Eye Blind), and guest musicians and vocalists which include Lindsey Buckingham and Pharrell Williams, Vanessa Carlton has created, yet again, a truly outstanding album.

ENHANCED CD features intimate behind the scenes footage with Vanessa.

Sophomore albums are dicey affairs. With an early fork in the road before them, fresh-faced artists find themselves with a choice of either repeating the formula that worked before or venturing out in uncharted territory. Vanessa Carlton opts to test her range with her ambitious, admirable, but not always successful follow up to 2002's Be Not Nobody. Collaborating with boyfriend Stephan Jenkins (the Third Eye Blind frontman produced the album and helps out as a writer and musician), Carlton explores new themes and sonic textures throughout the 10-song outing, scoring impressively with the likes of "White Houses" (featuring Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham) and the assured, driving "Private Radio." The naiveté of "San Francisco" is ultimately winning ("Talking in the Mission over coffee/ This is my utopia" she gushes, though the line about "Steinbeck and those old men whistling" is a headscratcher). Still, the elegant arrangements and Carlton's insistent piano lines can't quite cover up a lack of truly memorable melodies. Yes, Carlton is maturing and Harmonium brings her closer to where she's going, but she's still got a ways to go. --Steven Stolder