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The Bottom Line

It has taken some time for KT Tunstall's followup to "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" to break as a significant pop hit. However, after inclusion on the soundtrack to The Devil Wears Prada, the requisite appearance on Gray's Anatomy, and a starring role in the debut of Ugly Betty, Tunstall's second single is finally headed to the top 20. It is a deserved placing.

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Pros

• Great set of revelatory tribute lyrics
• KT Tunstall's smooth, appealing voice

Cons

• Still positions Tunstall outside the mainstream - not necessarily a con

Description

• Chugging rhythm guitar-bass focused beat
• Spotlight on Tunstall's strong, clear vocals
• Builds out of the bridge in full celebratory mode

Guide Review - KT Tunstall - Suddenly I See

With a little assist from American Idol contestant Katharine McPhee, Scotland's KT Tunstall broke into the US pop top 40 with her first hit single, the darkness-defying "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree." Her followup, this tribute to female power, has taken even longer, but it is another strong achievement positioning Tunstall well beyond one-hit-wonder status.

The lyrics of "Suddenly I See" are inspired by punk goddess Patti Smith, one of this year's Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame inductees. KT Tunstall is not the first and certainly won't be the last to be truly inspired by Smith, but few have written such celebratory lyrics about the experience beginning with the line "Her face is a map of the world, is a map of the world."

The sound of "Suddenly I See" chugs along in a blues-country-pop hybrid vein that makes it difficult to place on today's pop radio. However, the ubiquitousness of Tunstall's songs has forced their placement on the radio effectively stretching boundaries. That is a very good thing. For this, we are all thankful to KT Tunstall.