Mary Chapin Carpenter

Mary Chapin Carpenter doesn't restrain from rocking on The Calling, but she also doesn't let electric guitars and a driving drummer upstage her signature style. The smoky voiced singer-songwriter hasn't traded her heartland sound for a more lucrative direction like those who have used Americana as a stepping stone to a contemporary radio career (cough!RhetMillerWilcoRyanAdams...cough!cough!). But if every one of her songs here were as triumphant and courageous as "On with the Song," that would be just fine. Seriously, you think the Dixie Chicks were brave? Check out "On with the Song."