Several years ago you may remember Jill's impish first video, "I Kissed A Girl," the one with Fabio as the "hairy behemoth?" Great stuff. To be honest I don't know if we are to assume from this, that Miss Sobule is a lesbian, but it really doesn't matter does it?

She opens Pink Pearl with a spritely anthem about overcoming one's inner-obstacles entitled "Rainy Day Parade," and follows it up a song later with my favorite, "Lucy At The Gym," A song about insecurity and obsession that is one for the time-capsule.

I guess the main knock on Jill is her precious chirpy vocals--which she never quite transcends. Even on songs that have the lush brass orchestration of a Petula Clark hit her voice limits her. Who cares? Dylan can't sing, you won't hear Tom Waits singing "Don't Sleep In The Subway"--she writes great songs and sings them well enough.

Throughout, Sobule remains true to the basic singer/songwriter style, kind of a Suzanne Vega cum Aimee Mann.

Pink Pearl is an admirable effort from a solid artist who is more interested than tickling your fancy than knocking your socks off.