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TIME*SEX*LOVE
Mary Chapin Carpenter
(Columbia-Sony)
"Time is the great gift. Sex is the great equalizer. Love is the great mystery."
The back of Carpenter's latest album -- in stores Tuesday -- explains its title taken from a conversation she had with co-producer-guitarist-percussionist John Jennings.
Subject matter aside, theBrown-educated singer-songwriter's usual brand of smart country-folk-pop permeates this 14-track collection, albeit in an all-too-familiar way at times.
The moments which truly stand out are those of genuine departure, such as the orchestral Maybe World, the strings-accompanied King Of Love, the stripped-down Someone Else's Prayer -- heightened by a pretty-sounding steel guitar -- or the emotionally exposed The Dreaming Road.
Carpenter's strength too is her warm vocal power that has the effect of enveloping every song she sings, in particular on Swept Away, What Was It Like, and Late For Your Life.
So far, there is no Toronto date for Carpenter, who last played in town in December at the Campaign To Band Landmines benefit at Massey Hall.
Track Listing
1. Whenever You're Ready
2. Simple Life
3. Swept Away
4. Slave To The Beauty
5. Maybe World
6. What Was It Like
7. King Of Love
8. This Is Me Leaving You
9. Someone Else's Prayer
10. The Dreaming Road
11. Alone But Not Lonely
12. The Long Way Home
13. In The Name Of Love