Music Review: Mary Chapin Carpenter, "Between Here & Gone"

As is apparent from the wispy album art and the title, Mary Chapin Carpenter's Between Here & Gone is not what one would call a feel-good collection of songs. It is, however, the best Carpenter has ever put out. No. It's not as diverse in themes as Come On Come On or Stones in the Road, but that's the point. Here Carpenter taps into the nation's psyche post 9/11 and pulls out all the fears and grief. This is almost a therapy session put to beautiful melody - and that's not a bad thing.

I ident...