Give Me Some Wheels (Capitol Nashville, 1996)

With all the publicity being garnered by such hot new sensations as Leann Rimes or Shania, the news that Suzy Bogguss has a new album out might tend to get overlooked. That would be a mistake, not only because Bogguss has one of the purest, prettiest voices in country music, but also because this is a real jewel!

Bogguss has made good use of the extended time off (nearly three years since her last full studio release in part due to motherhood). She's made this, her seventh album, a showcase of a range of emotions, of statements that portray one's outlook on life from an honest, mature perspective. The songs display an eclectic variety of musical styles/influences. Although Bogguss has been accurately branded as a "New Traditionalist," she also displays a great pop sensibility. Bogguss' ability to record tunes that are just as easily accessible to pop and country fans, with great lyrical content, reminds one of Kim Richey, or a female Marshall Crenshaw.

Such songs as "Fall" and the title track, with upbeat vocals and tempos, should be guaranteed hits on country radio. A real surprise is "No Way Out," a bluesy rocking number on which Bogguss resembles no one so much as Bonnie Raitt. There are also several traditional country ballads, including "Live to LoveAnother Day," "Let's Get Real," and "Far and Away."

Throughout the album, Paul Franklin's steel guitar work particularly stands out. Also deserving of credit is the production team of Trey Bruce and Scott Hendricks, who created a tight, coherent package.