I hate country music.

The chord structures, twanginess and asinine lyrics make me want to tuck and roll out of my parents' SUV as they drag me wherever we're going.

But I don't hate Mindy Smith's debut, One Moment More. It's not music I would run out to buy, but if you're into country, Smith is one of the better artists out there.

"Come To Jesus" is a harmless, spiritual-blues country song that sounds like early Sheryl Crow covered by Patty Griffin and written by a reverend.

The first song is followed by several tracks of a monotonous how-to for coming-of-age, artsy, female folk singers. Between lyrics that mention "waiting for your love," "angel doves" and other corny patriarchal worship without a hint of irony, a good portion of the album is hard to listen to without pretending to be brain dead.

But after those eight tracks, the whispered intro to "Hard To Know" perks up the listener a bit. Unlike its peers, the song is a little overproduced, but it definitely escapes the run-of-themill country twang genre. Despite the content (prayer is good!) it's the only track that brings the listener back from a self-induced coma.

Smith's voice saves One Moment More from being just another bad country album. It's warm, strong and lacks that (faux) southern drawl of most country singers. The only thing that drags down the Long Island native's vocal talent is the sometimes-awkward and often sappy lyrics that require "ohs" and "yeahs" to fill in the rhythmic gaps.

If my parents decide to listen to this CD instead of Lonestar on our next six-hour trip, I won't wish they splurged for the ejector-seat upgrade package.

-- Reviewed by Laura Kruczynski