On her fifth album, Melissa tries even harder to become the distaff John Mellencamp or Springsteen, chronicling this American life. In many ways, it is a very autobiographical journey she took, to the places of her childhood in Kansas, like "Shriner's Park." Even if it doesn't contain her best songs, it is ambitious and well-realized and definitely confirms her as America's leading female rock & roll artist. --Chris Nickson