Crystal Shawanda, "Dawn Of A New Day" (RCA Nashville)

(AP) A Native American raised on a reservation in Ontario, Canada, Crystal Shawanda owns an amped-up voice and a professed love for old-school country, shouting out to Patsy Cline in her lyrics and covering the Hank Williams' classic "Your Cheatin' Heart."

But the rest of "Dawn Of A New Day," the 27-year-old's debut album, rocks as aggressively as any contemporary country album of 2008. Her bluesy, in-your-face style crosses the vocal pyrotechnics of Carrie Underwood with the uncompromising soul power of Mary J. Blige. This is country music flexed and fueled to connect with those who listen to modern rock and Alicia Keys-style urban pop.

Lyrically, Shawanda focuses on autobiographical tunes describing where she comes from ("Evolution"), where she's going (the title cut) and what a man should realise about her ("My Roots Are Showing"). She falters when she stifles her individuality for generic Nashville sentimentality, as in the ballad "You Can Let Go." She's much better when slow songs include a sweet-soul sway, as in "Tender Side."

Fortunately, most of "Dawn Of A New Day" suggests Nashville has discovered another strong female vocalist capable of establishing her own point of view.