When are folks going to learn that over the top Guitar and out of tune vocals don't make for a good album. It's song-writing, great performances, the production and overall feel that makes great music. Unfortunately there is none of that here. It's too bad because Anna is a talented player.

This album is a great display of drumming. Andrew Blaze Thomas is a musical genius.

Blind for Love benefits from Popovic's own bristling voice, a mix of soulful yearning and wonderful snarl that sets her apart from the paint-by-numbers approach of other like singers. The unique vocals allow Popovic and her accompaniers to play around a bit with style, going from brassy and fun one moment to hard-edged funk the next. In other words, Popovic and company keep listeners on their toes, never settling for a formula to broadcast all of the songstress' lovelorn troubles. For the most part, Blind for Love has something new to say on every track, a notable feat considering the singular pitfalls of jazz-funk music. Things start off fiery with "Nothing Personal," an up-tempo jazzy number chocked with high organs and Popovic's own breathy-but-powerful tales. Yet that introductory blast is soon cast off for "Wrong Woman," a rock-heavy track whose rapid punches and bullet refrains suit Popovic's invectives rather well. In fact, if Blind for Love ever suffers, it's for not going the distance with Popovic's unbarred voice. The raw, unfiltered stomp of "Steal Me Away" is a demonstration of the kind of power Popovic can flex behind the mic, while the rather flat, spineless "The Only Reason" chains her to an uninspired melody. Kevin Liedel August 9, 2009