Record Rack : A Hesitant Beth Orton Is Pulled in Two Directions

*** BETH ORTON

“Central Reservation”

Arista

Orton’s 1997 album “Trailer Park” was one of the most enticing debuts in years, and this follow-up should earn the English singer-songwriter even more praise. But the collection only lives up to part of the promise of its predecessor.

Rather than continue to explore the tension and grace of the debut’s bold mixture of intimate, folk-tinged ‘60s strains and contemporary techno-dance elements, Orton seems confused about her next sonic step.

She even gives us the album’s title track in an acoustic version early in the album and then with techno-dance strains at the end. While each has enough merits to make you understand her indecision, the uncertainty strips the album of some of its command. And some of her musical steps, including neo-lounge traces in the overlong “Couldn’t Cause Me Harm,” distract from, rather than enhance, the emotion of the songs.

When things go right, however, Orton continues to be quite special. Her husky vocals have an alluring and convincing edge, and her songs benefit from a deeply personal tone, whether it be “Feel to Believe,” a look at relationships that offers the kind of raw emotion associated with the late Tim Hardin, or “Stars All Seem to Weep,” an expression of lost innocence that conveys the cold exteriors of Radiohead. Maybe the third time will be the charm.

*

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.