Yet another Norwegian artist to pass my desk this year (is it too late to declare a Viking invasion?), Malin Pettersen has a totally different sound. The former singer of Lucky Lips released her first solo album last year, and she decided to pare down on this set.

Malin Pettersen Alonesome (Jansen Records)

Pretty much Pettersen and an acoustic guitar. The parallels with Patty Griffin's Living With Ghosts are apparent from the start. Pettersen has found a vulnerability in her voice that wasn't as obvious before, and the setting for these songs makes them sound that much more personal.

Not nearly as gut-wrenching as LWG, but then, that's true of almost everything ever recorded. Pettersen moves through these songs with strength and assurance. And the jazz-tinged "Lonely with You" (even while sticking to the voice-and-guitar sound) is a lovely counterpoint to the other, more folk-edged material.

Even Griffin couldn't stick with her acoustic sound, and I imagine Pettersen will reunite with her band for her next album. But this is a wonderful side trip from an artist who sounds like she has a long way to run.

Jon Worley