Some like blues. Some are a little country. Others will only listen to songs that hit the Top 40. And while there are a lot of people dead set against a country beat, most will probably find that Amanda Marshall is the exception. While she's not completely in the country genre, her sound is a country blend of sorts, even though Marshall is not a country girl, but rather a native of Canada.

In Marshall's self-titled album the artist successfully blends country with a little bit of pop. Her lyrics, especially in the song "Birmingham," tell a story that is typical of country-style and bluesy music. While country music and even a lot of pop tends to be about broken hearts and relationships, Marshall's album takes a positive look at love, which is quite refreshing.

"When you reach for me I fall from grace," she sings in her lower raspy voice in the song appropriately named "Fall from Grace." The song is slower with an active acoustic guitar and excellent back-up singers. She sings about a great relationship, something other artists might consider doing so they're not only listened to during a depressing time or bad break-up.

In my opinion, there's nothing worse than being an artist who is only turned to during these times. She sings of hard times in relationships, but she sings about overcoming them rather than giving up.

Instrumentally this album is quite impressive. With such a wide arrangement of sounds, it's hard to go wrong. The use of piano and guitar are among my own personal favorites. The piano in "Beautiful Goodbye" really is what makes the song.

But above all, it's her powerful, distinct voice that makes this album as good as it is. Marshall's voice doesn't have that twangy, stereotypical country sound (Thank God), but rather is much lower and sexier. It's almost comparable to the voice of Janis Joplin. Marshall uses volume rather than screechy high notes to give her songs a punch. Her throaty voice sets her apart from other artists and is what makes her so recognizable and enjoyable.

While all the songs on the album are of an A+ rating, there are some that are better than others.

The album, when first released in 1996, hung on because of the success of the single, "Birmingham."

But after getting noticed by music icon Elton John, Marshall's album soared up the charts, producing five more hit singles.

Perhaps the best song on the album is "Last Exit to Eden," which is a song everyone can relate to when they hear it. It's about missing out on something -- particularly love.

Marshall's album is about lyrics and music rather than producing any type of image.

Her self-titled album is for music-lovers and not those searching for teen pop-stars or artists, who are popular only for what they put forth visually.