Amazon.com essential recordingWith her fourth album, Pam Tillis finally realizes the sound and persona she's been groping for over the past four years. She moves away from mainstream country to stretch herself on the Tex-Mex of "Mi Vida Loca," the western swing of the title cut and the folk-rock of the Searchers' '64 hit, "When You Walk in the Room." When she moves back to mainstream country on songs like the album's first single, "Spilled Perfume," and the lovely "In Between Dances," she brings an interpretive subtlety and rhythmic naturalness she never had before. Of course, it helps that this is the best batch of songs she's ever had; she co-wrote three of them and her daddy, Mel Tillis, sings bass on "'Til All the Lonely's Gone." --Geoffrey Himes