In Brief

This country queen, who plays at the Pond of Anaheim next Sunday, sounds more inspired than she has in years. A stripped-down, heartland-rock approach puts her closer to the music than she had gotten of late with her grandiose symphonic country-pop. Most of the songs are likewise more direct and that much more effective.

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Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).

* TimesLine 808-8463

To hear excerpts from the albums reviewed, call TimesLine and press * and the artist’s corresponding four-digit code. Reba McEntire *5719

In 805 area code, call (818) 808-8463.