Few singers ever find a sound this assured. Even fewer manage to do so on their second album--at the age of 22. There are a lot of parallels to Neko Case, starting with her only modestly-restrained delivery and following through to the pose on the album cover. White sticks to a more traditional sound (think Gram Parsons meets Patsy Cline), and producer Jonathan Wilson makes sure the arrangements fit the songs.

Bella White Among Other Things (Rounder)

White's songwriting is incisive and blunt, much like her singing. The lyrics are more vulnerable than her voice. Even the more introspective songs here are belted confidently or talk-sung, which is unsettling. Expression comes in many ways, and White has chosen an interesting path.

White wrote these songs with a guitar, but on many songs producer Wilson chose to center the sound on piano or organ. That provides a natural counterpoint to White's voice, and it ties the arrangements together. But again, this is an unusual choice. And it works.

This is an astonishing accomplishment for such a young singer. And while hardly perfect, it's terribly impressive. White is a more expressive writer than singer at this point. When she matches the two, prepare for ignition.

Jon Worley