Deep Natural
Although double albums are again de rigueur, the mercurial Shocked  pushes the envelope on her first release in four years. Fully free from  major-label duties, Shocked picks up where the quasi-gospel vibe of the  limited-editionGood Newsleft off (even reprising a few tracks) and  delivers the most expressive singing of her career. She fuses deep Southern  funk, Jamaican dub, ambient country-folk, and socially and sexually conscious  soul (à laWhat's Going  On) with poignantly confessional, faith-based lyrics. "The more I  forgive, the more I forget/Let it go, let it go," she consoles herself. The  sprawling instrumental companion disc,Dub Natural, has moments of  artistic surprise (especially the supernova blues rock of "Draughts of Dublin"),  though it rarely finds the purpose and spiritual poise of this set's main  attraction--Shocked's ardent singing and gleaming, inspired songwriting.--Roy Kasten