Read the Review - Check out the XPN Music Store

Your purchase from Amazon.com that starts from a link on XPN.org, supports the music your hear on WXPN. Check out the hand-picked music selection in our WXPN Picks at Amazon.com section. You'll find the same prices as you would going directly to Amazon.com, and you can download to your music player, or order the CD online.

Tune in to the XPN Morning Show each Monday to hear, Host, Mike Vasilikos, review XPN's Featured Album of the Week. This week's album is....

Corinne Bailey Rae - The Sea (Capitol)

Download and Listen to Mike's review.

Or, read the review.

The unavoidable truth about the new album from Corinne Bailey Rae is that it comes from one of the most painful places one can imagine. The Sea, the highly anticipated follow-up to her Grammy nominated debut album, features songs that were written on both sides of the unexpected passing of her husband. The result is an album that is as you would imagine, personal and poignant.

The Sea is not searching for awards or accolades. It’s a record whose purpose better serves as an introspective journey and the ability for artistic expression. And ironically for that reason, it may just end up finding those material honors. Certainly the idea of longing is hard to escape on The Sea. The honesty however is not only admirable, but at times inspiring. From the opening lines of “Are You Here,” to the confessional "I’d Do It All Again" Corinne Bailey Rae is an open book.

And while the subject matter isn't always bright, the music soars. Albeit not as playful as her debut, The Sea has plenty of youthful moments, including the song "Paris Nights / New York Mornings."

The Sea whips up a lot of emotions, yet again it's Rae's honesty that is most endearing. The album is successful because of how genuine it is chronicling how this artist is dealing with a personal tragedy. And with the music to match, The Sea from Corinne Bailey Rae is an impressive collection.

Click here to see the complete list of WXPN Featured Albums.