To those unfamiliar with Dee Carstensen, The Map at first blush sounds a great deal like Meredith Brooks. There are differences, however, and they"re well worth noting. For one thing, Carstensen is a stronger singer, and for another, the arrangements on The Map are more adventurous than those on Blurring the Edges. Carstensen ventures into shuffle-beat territory with "Be My Man" (a more assertive song than the title suggests) and "Hurricane." "Holding Back an Ocean" is particularly evocative, with its rhythm and sonic texture emphasizing the theme. And there are some nice moments buried in songs that are otherwise unexceptional: The acoustic-guitar opening to "The Last Time It Mattered" is a strong point. Carstensen is also to be credited for tackling some pretty interesting themes; the yearning of "Saviour" and the mythical subject matter of "Pandora"s Box" are especially notable. --Genevieve Williams