Life for Rent (by Dido, Pop)

LIFE FOR RENT is a lovely, introspective look at romance, and the complications of romantic entanglement from many different points of view.

Dido Armstrong's smooth, restrained vocal style is the perfect vehicle for story-songs such as "Mary's In India," in which she ends up "taking care of" the left-behind boyfriend of a pal who has gone traveling. Other songs explore the familiar terrain of love -- whether new, old, passionate, or ambivalent -- and how we find and hold onto ourselves when connecting with another. "Don't Leave Home" is the weirdest, evoking the stalker/lover sensibilities of "Every Breath You Take." Other tunes explore more reasonable and universal themes.

There's very little new territory here, and the understated, delicate vocals may grow monotonous for some. (What if Dido let it out just once with a deep soul scream?) But the songs are genuinely lovely, romantic, interesting enough.