The Canadian Country Music Association"s Entertainer of the Year for three years running, Terri Clark isn"t even close to anyone"s idea of a diva. With Pain to Kill, her fifth collection of songs, she returns to her more upbeat side after the introspective nature of her previous set, Fearless. Here she proves that she"s a take-no-prisoners type of woman who isn"t afraid to have a strong side and tell you exactly what she thinks, while making sure to keep it country. Fans of Mary Chapin Carpenter and, perhaps, Emmylou Harris, may find a lot to like here as Clark in many ways, including vocally, takes a cue from their renowned mix of assertiveness, humanity, and winning melodies. --Jim Caligiuri