Spine

Veda Hille regularly sells out theaters throughout Canada and Europe, and it's easy to see why. This singer-songwriter possesses the high register range of Tori Amos, the coy wit of Ani Difranco, and the sort of grown-up wisdom that Sarah McLachlan casually displays. Hille's words are smart, uplifting, and a little arty, but endearingly so. Her music is joyfully all over the place, from confessional, personal, and painful songs to punky, powerful romps and pretty, floating tunes that stick in your head for days. Originally released in 1996, Spine is a mature work of breathtakingly eclectic, beautifully controlled rawness. --Mike McGonigal