The Spirit Room
"So I'm a little left of center, I'm a little out of tune,"  sings Michelle Branch on her debut album's "You Get Me." Well, maybe.  Branch offers a well-produced pastiche of chiming and strumming  guitars, hip-hop-lite beats, quiet-verse-to-louder-chorus templates,  and positive thinking. At her best--"If She Only Knew," a propulsive  love note to an ex--she rivals the likes ofSixpence None the Richeras likable radio-aimed fare. Catchy and self-expressive  while breaking absolutely no ground, Branch also echoes everyone from label-mateAlanis Morissetteto the soloBelinda Carlisle. She dies just a little in this crazy mixed-up world, escapes to her  secret garden for sunshine in the pouring rain, and ultimately finds  her reflection getting clearer.The Spirit Roomcould be the  next bit of pop philosophy to dazzle mainstream audiences.--Rickey  Wright