It seems very strange that Watershed is the first album of new -- as in self-penned -- material by kd lang in nearly seven years.

Her last full-length, Hymns of the 49th Parallel, was a collection covers by fellow Canadians in 2004, and a compilation assembled from her country albums.

Watershed also lists lang as producer, another first for the singer and songwriter.

There are 11 songs here, including the beautiful single "Dream of Spring," that was released in December of 2007 and kicks off the set.

There is a core band here that revolves around old friends Teddy Borowiecki (who not only plays organ, guitar, arranges strings, and does some programming, but also provides additional production in places), steel guitarist Greg Leisz, drummer Danny Frankel, bassist David Piltch (who also does some additional production), and some guests who include Ben Mink, trumpeter Jon Hassel, and Lynne Earls, who is also the recording engineer here.

Lang plays guitars, banjo, piano, and assorted keyboards.

There are bits and pieces of all of lang's best albums here.

There is the elegance of Ingenue, the lush, restrained drama of Drag, and the earthiness of Shadowland with the contentment and joy of Invincible Summer.

The songs are assembled as a sort of narrative.

"Dream of Spring" opens with bluesy guitar, bass, and a drum loop that becomes a shimmering torch song with pedal steel guitar on its refrain.

Lang's voice glides into a near swoon of longing from a reportorial, almost philosophical observation of places she'd inhabited before allowing herself to enter love openly and freely.

The strings add a lushness that's in stark contrast with the steel, but it all works.

While the song is sexy as all get out, there is a spiritual quotient in it; it's not enmeshed or entrenched.

It's not desperate -- unlike some of the more blessed-out dream anthems on Ingenue.

K.D. Lang

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1993 - 16 tracks

Duets - Elton John, K.D. Lang

4 out of 5

$6.99 - $10.99