Music:

Rock & 'Pop':
...	Alanis Morissette -- "Jagged Little Pill," "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie." I know the name is probably well-known by now, but what the hey.  For those who haven't heard her albums, Alanis' music isn't limited to the anger in her best-known work,  You Oughta Know -- other songs on her debut album capture other kinds of pain, and the songs on her 2nd album capture that and more.  If it was possible to wear out a CD, I would have done so with "SFIJ" -- some of the pieces are not just beautiful, but immensely sensual.  She also has a softer version of  You Oughta Know, the one performed at the Grammies (and if you missed that, BOY! did you miss an amazing performance), on an import single.  Her songs have also been featured on soundtracks, most notably the one for the Meg Ryan/Nicholas Cage film, "City of Angels". Check out the listings for this artist at:  Amazon.com, Tower Records, Half.com. (Also check out Bizrate.com for other 'locations' and prices.)
...	Dido -- "No Angel" Probably best known for providing the opening theme song for the WB series  Roswell, the debut CD for this artist has recently also gotten attention from fellow artist 'Eminem' (a dubious honor, in my opinion, but it's worked well for Dido).   Here With Me is obviously the best-known track on the debut album, but there are several other worthwhile songs, including  My Lover's Gone, which reminds me of the old style of ballads you heard about.  Dido's voice is really quite lovely, which makes all of it nice to listen to. Check out the listings for this artist at:  Amazon.com, Tower Records, Half.com. (Also check out Bizrate.com for other 'locations' and prices.)
	i5 -- "i5" I can't say enough about this budding "girl band".  They've got wonderful voices, great harmony, and some  really great tracks on their debut album, which I wish would be presented to more radio stations.  They appeared on the scene not too long before the debut of the show "Pop Stars", which probably stole some of their thunder, but I  really hope they're here to stay.  They seem to prefer Latin rhythms for a lot of their pieces, and they do it well, but my favorite "grrrl power" song is still  Cinderella, not just for the vocals and lyrics, but also for the message. Check out the listings for this artist at:  Amazon.com, Tower Records, Half.com. (Also check out Bizrate.com for other 'locations' and prices.)
	Meredith Brooks -- "Blurring the Edges" Okay, this is probably another name everyone knows.  Say it with me now: "Bitch!"  No, not Meredith herself -- that's the title of her best-known song, and it's the second track on her debut album.  The rest of "BTE" is, well, honestly, hit-or-miss.  But there  are some really great songs, including  What Would Happen (If We Kissed), which has got to be one of the sexiest songs ever.  She also has a new album out, but I haven't heard it yet. Check out the listings for this artist at:  Amazon.com, Tower Records, Half.com. (Also check out Bizrate.com for other 'locations' and prices.)
	Paula Cole -- "Harbinger", "This Fire" Paula is one of those artists about whom the only thing I can think of to say is: WOW!  Her voice is one of the most amazing things I've ever heard, achieving levels and twists that, speaking as a singer, I am incredibly envious of.  Add to that an incredible lack of self-consciousness, and lyrics that capture things about yourself you may not even have known existed, and she becomes one of the best female artists out there, IMO.  I have yet to have an opportunity to hear her new album, but my favorite so far has actually been her debut, "Harbinger", which got little or no airplay, but is another one I could wear out in my CD-player. Check out the listings for this artist at:  Amazon.com, Tower Records, Half.com. (Also check out Bizrate.com for other 'locations' and prices.)

'Alternative' Rock:
	Curve -- "Come Clean" The first I heard of this group was their song  Chinese Burn, on the "La Femme Nikita" series soundtrack.  I downloaded a few more of their songs, then bought the album, and have loved it ever since.  They combine hard 'techno' sound with gorgeous vocals, sometimes drifting into slightly gentler sound, but always incredible.  More stories have been inspired by this group than I can count. Check out the listings for this artist at:  Amazon.com, Tower Records, Half.com. (Also check out Bizrate.com for other 'locations' and prices.)
	Poe -- "Haunted" Poe has a sound that has evolved over the years, and I really can't define except as "alternative".  Her voice is beautiful, sexy, haunting, chilling, invigorating -- all depending on what song she's doing.   Trigger Happy Jack is actually on the debut album, not "Haunted", but the song  Control, which  is on "Haunted" is just fantastic -- and  Hey Pretty (Just Another Drive) is another one on my list of Incredibly Sexy Songs. Check out the listings for this artist at:  Amazon.com, Tower Records, Half.com. (Also check out Bizrate.com for other 'locations' and prices.)

Jazz & Folk:
...	Ani DiFranco -- "Not a Pretty Girl," "Dilate," "Up Up Up Up Up Up."  (She also has five other albums, as well as live performances, but I haven't heard them all personally.) Check out the listings for this artist at:  Amazon.com, Tower Records, Half.com. (Also check out Bizrate.com for other 'locations' and prices.)
...	Diana Krall -- "Stepping Out" Check out the listings for this artist at:  Amazon.com, Tower Records, Half.com. (Also check out Bizrate.com for other 'locations' and prices.)
...	Cassandra Wilson -- "New Moon Daughter." Check out the listings for this artist at:  Amazon.com, Tower Records, Half.com. (Also check out Bizrate.com for other 'locations' and prices.)