As Lisa's playful title suggests, what's been called her “inimitable groove-oriented edge” is front and center in the driving, percussive guitar on songs like “Rhythm of Candide,” “Wasteland,” and “Palo Duro.” But other songs on this album show impressive range. “No Way” sets the story of a doomed love affair to a melody with the gritty intensity of a rock ballad, while “Frida” adds an artistic, introspective tone.

Earthy guitars blend with Markley's expressive but precise vocals; and we are as surprised to be swept away by the occasional romantic fiddle part as Lisa is in “Texas Sky”--“never thought I'd sing a song of Texas/much less a love song....” On the final track, “3 Legged Dog,” she reminds us that she is a songwriter with the ability to make us all recognize ourselves in her words-- “three legged dog don't go chasin' round trains/his lesson's been learned, he sees nothing to gain...”