Sheryl Crow has been in the wars somewhat since her last album, Wildflower. She was diagnosed with the early stages of breast cancer in 2006, and then split up with her fiance, US cycling hero Lance Armstrong shortly afterwards. So it's a pleasant surprise to hear that Love Is Free sounds positively buoyant with that 'feel good' factor.
Love Is Free is typical Sheryl Crow really, from the 'one-two-three' count-in to the singalong chorus. The lyrics are inspired by the survivors of Hurricane Katrina, and while there is an unavoidable political bent to some lines ("they kinda like to keep you in your place"), Crow prefers to celebrate the spirit of the people caught up in that disaster.
There are no big surprises here, but after what Crow's gone through in the last couple of years, she's probably just glad to be back in the day job. If you're looking for some superior folky pop, then there aren't many that do it as well as Sheryl Crow.
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