Rhinestoned

Pam Tillis’ upholds her past standards on Rhinestoned, her first album in five years. Whether singing her own compositions or choosing outside material, Tillis always rooted her music in contemporary realities while tapping into country’s heritage for inspiration. Here, she unwinds with a set of top-flight tunes that give her vocals plenty of room to emote. Heartbreak-drenched ballads (“Someone Somewhere Tonight,” ”Train Without a Whistle”), wry story-songs (“Bettin’ Money On Love”) and playful honky-tonk numbers (“Crazy By Myself”) are all part of the mix. There’s a strong sense of local color to this album, whether Pam is shaking her head at progress (“Life Sure Has Changed Around Us,” a duet with John Anderson) or celebrating the scruffier side of Nashville (“Band In the Window”). Overall, the album has a relaxed sort of integrity to it, suggesting Tillis is more interested in making records that please her than in chasing the elusive radio hit. Rhinestoned is a welcome return by an artist who proves herself vital by just having fun.