Wow... this is one that drops your jaw and hits you right in the gut. Rarely does a solo album by a female artist shine as much as this one from Rachael Sage. Classic voice, classic feel for music, for emotion, for a particular type of mood. If you must make a comparison, try this: "The Blistering Sun" comes damned close to Edie Brickell's debut "Shooting Rubberbands At The Stars". It is a highly rated album for good reason.

The above naturally calls for an explanation. Why do inspiring solo records from solo female artists come around so rarely? What is it like for the typical House-of-Music reader, when you look around the current music landscape and the only women you hear charting on the radio are the same ones you see on MTV or places like that? Doesn't that all seem put on? Aren't they all just simply cliches? Yes, right? But also in the '90s, when Alanis Morissette and the Cranberries were the rage, those songs always seemed somehow unnatural and, yes, put on. (Aside from the lyrical content, which was sometimes very good.)

No, with her 7th studio album "The Blistering Sun" Rachael Sage doesn't follow the crowd. And why not? She has more to offer, namely her unaffectedness. And good songs. (Admittedly, the above named artists also had those.) A stable full of musicians are along to bring Rachael's ideas to life. Sometimes only accompanied by a piano, sometimes with strings, then again with full band. And "Hit Song" even offers up some Trip-Hop. Almost like Faithless' "Insomnia" unplugged.

Mostly a quiet sound prevails, though. Very deliberately chosen, sometimes groovy, never intrusive, but always to the point. And when it sometimes goes uptempo, the music can swing. But the voice always reigns over it all. The tracks "Violet or Blue" and "Lonely Streets" embody the atmosphere of this album very well. Somewhat introspective, somewhat lonely.

But with this album Rachael Sage shouldn't stay lonely for long. Someone who is already at this level should be finding new fans in no time.