The charm of Steve Earle's younger sister's debut indie album, Simple Gearle carries over to this followup. After logging miles of touring experience and working with a slightly bigger budget for production this time around (it reportedly cost $4,200 to make Simple Gearle), Stacey Earle and her distinctive Nebraskan twang break little new ground here, sticking with what works best.

Themes of those simple beauties fit to write about -- love, family and the odd heartbreak -- are coupled with hubby Mark Stuart's harmonies and delicious acoustic leads. Son Kyle Mims and Michael Webb round out with some fine folk-cum-country drums and bass/accordian, respectively. And there's 'perty good' funky melodies to boot: Steve Earle's Promise You Anything (complete with her big bro harmonizin'); a Skydiggerish Is It Enough (I Luuuv You); a tender trio of No New Shoes, I Ran and Kiss Her Goodnight (the latter featuring a Sheryl Crow cameo); the trad-country Must Be Love; and a Cried My Heart Out sequel in Why (with a surprise nod to, um, a Fame-ous song).

A tough act to follow in the wake of Simple Gearle's acclaim, but this one's a keeper, too. Mental note: Missed Earle's recent sold-out Black Sheep Inn gig? Not to worry. She returns to the capital for a GCTC show Sept. 17.

Track Listing 01. Promise You Anything
  02.Is It Enough (I Luuuv You)
  03.Did I Say "I'm Sorry"
  04.Makes Me Happy
  05.No New Shoes
  06.Good-by
  07.Kiss Her Goodnight
  08.Wonderful Life
  09.Must Be Love
  10.Dancein' With Them That Brung Me
  11.Why
  12.How I Ran