MTV Unplugged No. 2.0
Lauryn Hill has loudly (and justifiably) been declared a brilliant  artist already in her young career, andMTV Unplugged No. 2.0will do  nothing to dissuade anyone. This double-CD acoustic set contains snippets from  herdebut album, but most of it  is new material that Hill performs with raw, shockingly honest intensity. Coming  on the heels of a well-publicized period of depression and unhappiness for the  ex-Fugeessinger, Hill's reenergized outlook is plainly evident in this stripped-down  performance--it's basically just Hill and her unplugged guitar--as well as the  highly spiritual nature of the material. Cutting across musical styles from  bossa nova ("Just Like Water") to Marley-esque rebel songs ("Oh Jerusalem," "The  Conquering Lion," "Freedom Time"), the singer's voice is throaty and rough  throughout, giving the performance an earthy, heartfelt pull. It's a deeply  personal performance, filled with blistering social commentary and the evils of  self-delusion while detailing her ongoing attempt to escape from the public  persona her fame has created. In destroying her old artistry, she discovers a  new creative force, yielding a mesmerizing and enchanting classic.--Jake  Barnes