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After awkwardly trying that whole slick-pop dance, LeAnn Rimes sure would appreciate it if y'all would let her back through the swinging doors of your heart for some of that good old country two-step.

She's talking Mason jars, catching lightning bugs and county fairs on "You Take Me Home." A heavy dose of fiddles and banjos washes away the lingering aftertaste of synthesizers on her 2002 crossover attempt, "Twisted Angel." The only thing missing is a reference to a cowboy hat; which, of course, would be in hand.

Frank Ockenfels (ENLARGE)
LeAnn Rimes' voice makes 'This Woman' work.
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COUNTRY • LeAnn Rimes "This Woman." Curb Records. 12 tracks. Grade: B

But beyond the metaphors and veiled references to her brief detour into Britney Spears territory, the clear and apparent appeal of Rimes is and always has been her voice.

It has a lovely flourish on "When This Woman Loves a Man." It's got Gretchen Wilson grit on "Something's Gotta Give" and "Nothin' Bout Love Makes Sense." And it'll break your heart on "Won't Be Lonely Long."

It is the least heavy-handed reminder of the 13-year-old phenom Music Row fell in love with nine years ago at Fan Fair. It is, without question, the best reason to welcome her back.

Come on now, be nice . . . this is.

— Sonia Murray

Also out today

"Mouthfeel," the sparkling comeback album from Atlanta indie poppers Magnapop, is the quartet's first since 1996. A release party is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Criminal Records in Little Five Points, with the band playing new songs from the album and signing copies. "Sean Costello" is the fourth album and Tone Cool/Artemis Records debut of local blues guitarist Sean Costello, which includes a guest appearance by Band drummer Levon Helm. Also, "Emoh," a solo album from Sebadoh's Lou Barlow; "Life Begins Again" from the former Smashing Pumpkins drummer's latest project, the Jimmy Chamberlain Complex; "Push the Button," the new one by British electronic dance music pioneers the Chemical Brothers; Marianne Faithfull's "Below the Poison"; "The Way Up" from the Pat Metheny Group; and "Foundation" marks the return of Bushwick Bill to the Geto Boys.