Chely Wright

Soulful country balladeer Chely Wright might be too sexy for her own good. Her brand of country falls closer to Lucinda Williams than Faith Hill, but her sultry, wind-blown appearance belies some of the earthier elements of her music. Wright's sixth effort, The Metropolitan Hotel, is full of thoughtful people on the wrong end of love. More substantial than the slick country/pop of Nashville, Wright's music must battle against an odd set of preconceptions; as ironic as it sounds, beauty can, at times, be a detriment to artistry.