R&B by female artists is known for its self-preservation; no exception here. She starts disillusioned and unimpressed in "Can't Be Love," but it's really another feeling we all know. It's unrequited want; it's a frustration with the unmatched work, effort, passion, etc. you've put in. It's a great piano-driven start.

She rebounds nicely, brightly, with "Shine." Wouldn't quite call it "inspirational" - and that's a good thing - but it is a pick-me-up with good bounce in its step.

"Don't Stay" is wonderfully simple. If he wants to, he can stay. If not, ::peace::. The song is clear and then the album moves forward.

Near-misses on the fourth single, "If Tonight is My Last." It's catchy, but it's catchy like an American Idol finale song: at times too literal, at other times too borrowed, at all times too familiar. The whole "when confronted with a rock and a hard place, aspire to understand your place in this life" thing is just too formulaic. Oddly, it's followed by "What Would You Do," which feels like the same near-miss with a different title.

The first single is up next, "From My Heart to Yours." Great album bait. A win for her label's marketing team. Sounds like something Alicia Keys could have released: a careful, nimble, warm melody.

"Perfect World" doesn't move me in any direction. I kept finding myself distracted by other things in the room until the 3:23 mark, at which the track reminds me of pleading we might get from Joss Stone (a plus), but it never really engages. Similar story for "The Worst is Over." Like the piano line in the chorus, but it would probably get skipped in an iPod shuffle.

"Yes (I'll Be Your Baby)." Please, ma'am, may I have some more? Similarities to something from Angie Stone or Heather Headley. Can just imagine Laura delivering this on stage; there's so much performance in this track. And the chorus alone should have convinced the label to make this the second single.

Comforted as the album wraps with "I Don't Want You Back" and the gospel tones in "Mmm…" Ready for the sophomore.