Michelle Shocked has always been a rebel and a traveler. She spent her childhood moving from one army base to the next. Eventually she fled the influence of her mother, a Mormon fundamentalist. Her colorful adventures were only beginning. (Read the brief bio at www.allmusic.com)

Her first record was recorded literally without her notice. She was singing at a campfire, and a friend captured on tape the voice and the lyrical abilities of a woman who would become a champion of the new folk scene in America.

But Michelle had more tricks up her sleeve than anybody would guess. With Short Sharp Shocked she showed pop sensibilities, attitude, intelligence, and a flair for storytelling that were almost unmatched on contemporary radio. What is more, she brought a contagious sense of FUN to the proceedings.

Subsequent releases Captain Swing and Arkansas Traveler revealed a woman who would not stand still or become predictable. She was going to explore American music top to bottom and bring the real thing home to her fans. Each new release was an invitation to a party, either at a dance hall, a rock arena, or a barn. Arkansas had us knee-deep in fiddle-solos and hoe-downs. Her career was becoming one of the most compelling and surprising on the musical map. This was followed by Kind Hearted Woman, a more meditative, intimate work that reflected spiritual soul-searching. It also showed Michelle at the peak of her vocal powers.

Then, silence, for a good long while. Rumors of struggles with labels and the unpopularity of her new "gospel" sound with record executives. There were other rumors too. Something about Christianity.

Now we have Deep Natural. And what a shocker it is. Shocked has landed in blues country. The record is sizzling with guitar licks, heavy bass, and horns ("What Can I Say?") that you might expect on a Bonnie Raitt album. But it doesn't stop there. She draws other genres into the mix: most noticeably reggae and jazz. It's an album that will be hard to classify in record stores, I imagine.

Note: It is accompanied by a bonus disc: Dub Natural. This additional treat basically highlights the "dub" style used, in which instrumental tracks are recorded and mixed without lyrics. Like to sing these songs on your own? Here's your accompaniment!

But what is more surprising is the attitude. She's still telling stories ("Peachfuzz"), still exploring. But at times, she roars like a preacher in the grip of a terrifying vision ("Somebody's House is Burning Down", "Psalm"). Elsewhere, she's confessional and quiet ("If Not Here", "Go in Peace") with an uncharacteristic tone of contentment. This is an album of unapologetic praise, with a heavy dose of truth-telling to boot. She's found a calm in the eye of the storm, and there is evidence of a supportive musical and spiritual community surrounding her. Listening to these songs makes you want to be there, with them, dancing in the aisles. "Joy" is the opening track, and "joy" is the prevalent spirit of the music.

Don't be worried: this isn't "contemporary Christian music." Nor is it an off-putting collection of self-righteous diatribes. Like all of her albums, Deep Natural is a series of journal entries, some of which show some serious time meditating on Scripture. There is a sort of hellfire and brimstone passion that glimmers around the edges, but that seems more like an effort to be true to the material than to condemn or frighten anybody. You can hear a conviction that comes from her commitment to be heard, after several years of trouble getting this record out.

(Note: Are the troubles continuing? The album notes refer us to www.mightysound.com for lyrics and notes, but nothing has yet materialized.)

It's not a perfect work by any means. The biggest problem is production. The first half of the album suffers from an overdose of sonorous, echoing bass and guitars. Somebody in the studio probably said, "Make it sound like Daniel Lanois" and then went overboard. Shocked's voice is stifled, sometimes severely pinched by the cavernous, atmospheric, Lanois-esque sounds booming at us from both sides. Only in the quieter numbers do we have the comfort of her familiar, up-close-and-personal tone. And the album's three song finale delivers her vocals in all their rapturous glory.

The album closes with a rousing anthem called "Psalm", in which she is backed up by a rejoicing congregation. Together they affirm "He turned the rock into living water!" And Michelle leaves us with a sweet-spirited meditation on Peace... how Peace finds us where we are, and there is nothing we can do to produce it for ourselves.

You're looking for love?
Looks like you found it.
Right here, right now.
I think we're surrounded.

Most Christian music albums offer similar sentiments. But Michelle Shocked's work boats of authenticity and conviction that you won't find in the "Christian" music section. She remains an original, uncompromising. She has been ruthlessly honest and sincere about every step of recorded journey through American music. Thus, when she arrives at this high place, she speaks with unscarred integrity. And we believe her.