It's not every album that opens with the line, ''I've never had a star in my bed/ I've just had stars in my head." Based on that, one understands why Boston-based Katie Terrio occasionally gets compared to Liz Phair. But much more is going on in Terrio's world, negating any easy comparisons. This is her second album and she has come into her own. She exhibits a fine melodic sense that any Triple A radio programmer should jump at, while also possessing an original way of phrasing (with a nifty little tremolo at the end of some lines) that adds texture to her romantic dilemmas.

Terrio has a girlishness that is almost Gwen Stefani-like at times, as on ''Keeper," but it's offset by a dreamy, folk-rock tone that evokes Beth Orton on several tracks, especially the hypnotic ''Out of Fame." And while there's a well-earned lyrical realism, Terrio also demonstrates optimism and a survivor's grit on ''(Can I) Please Come Home," ''Bird" (about losing fear), and the rocking ''Lipstick Baby."

Also notable is the stunning production of Adam Steinberg, who has manned the console for locals Amy Fairchild and Carla Ryder, along with national luminaries the Dixie Chicks. Steinberg cowrites three songs and is a one-man orchestra, supporting Terrio's fretwork with his own electric and acoustic guitar, bass, keyboards, and drums. His thick, wall-of-sound rhythms in ''Everything You Are" really help the song stand out -- and the general focus he brings to the project is remarkable.