In her just-released autobiography, Etheridge writes that some of her best songs have resulted from heartache.

Given that theory, her recent breakup with longtime partner Julie Cypher -- who has decided she's not gay after all -- should have produced a whopper of a new album.

Instead, with a few exceptions, Skin sounds like Etheridge is holding her real emotions in check.

Maybe she's concerned that her two children with Cypher -- David Crosby supplied the sperm -- will suffer as a result of any real honesty.

Whatever the reason, there's a decided lack of passion throughout the album, in stores Tuesday.

The standouts are Lover Please -- in which Etheridge asks, "Why must you reject me? Why can't you protect me?" -- and It's Only Me -- in which she claims, "All you'll ever want, All you'll ever need, All you'll ever taste, All you'll ever bleed, Look deep inside you, It's only me."

Also good is the moodier and darker The Different.

Elsewhere, it's a bit too milked-down, adult-contemporary territory for me on such songs as The Prison, Walking On Water, Down To One, Goodnight, I Want To Be In Love, Please Forgive Me and Heal Me.

Etheridge plays a solo show -- as in just herself and an acoustic guitar -- at Massey Hall on Aug. 24. Hopefully, she'll bare more of her soul there.

(More on: Melissa Etheridge)

Track Listing 1. Lover Please
2. The Prison
3. Walking On Water
4. Down To One
5. Goodnight
6. It's Only Me
7. I Want To Be In Love
8. Please Forgive Me
9. The Different