In this day and age it seems what's most popular on the radio is pop, rock, rap and R&B. Paving the way for a new popular genre is Susan Tedeschi with Hope and Desire, her new blues album.

Born and raised in a small suburb near Boston, Tedeschi was musically inclined since age 13, often singing with local bands. After attending Berklee College of Music and Arts she started her own band in 1991 with Adrienne Hayes. Hayes soon quit the band in pursuit of her own musical career and was replaced by Sean Costello as the band's new guitarist.

Since their inception in 1991 the band has released three albums, including its newest release, Hope and Desire. While Hayes contributed some of the guitar on the first album Just Won't Burn, the core band has been Costello on guitar, Tedeschi on vocals/guitar, Tom Hambridge on drums and Jim Lamond on the bass. The band has been going strong for over 14 years, striving to contribute to the blues genre by adding R&B and gospel influences for an exhilarating sound.

The new album has a soothing sound but can make your heart race at the same time. What makes this album a true work of art is Tedeschi's ability to sing low like a bass and higher still, much like a soprano. While her voice isn't the most finely tuned, she has an incredible mastery of her vocal instrument. The drums exude an R&B sound and on some tracks the guitar is reminiscent of rock and roll. In the end, the group comes together to create a sound that has a base in blues but sends the listener on a journey through many different worlds of music.

The song "You've got the Silver" opens slowly and quietly with a single strummed guitar and Tedeschi's voice slowly crooning. It picks up gradually but smoothly to a slightly faster tempo as the drum is stroked more than tapped in the background. Her voice is serene and contemplative as she sings, "Tell me honey / What will I do / When I'm hungry and thirsty too." While the guitar doesn't change much in notes, it compliments the electric guitar in the background that goes hand in hand with Tedeschi's high pitched but melancholy tone.

The track "Share your love" has a more R&B feel, with the drums opening the track slow and hard. The acoustic guitar then strums in slowly but dominantly as Tedeschi chants "Oh it's a heartache / When love has gone soft." Her voice is much lower and scratchier which would seem like a downfall but instead gives the song heart and a little soul. The drums then recede into the background and are much softer than they started out. The guitar is high pitched, finely tuned and comforting because it compliments the crispiness of Tedeschi's voice.

The song "Sweet Forgiveness" is the closest song on the album to the blues genre. With the piano paving the main road of the song and delicately scratched drums in the background, it evokes memories of a lounge or seedy bar. Tedeschi's voice is in perfect harmony as she sings "There is no way I could make up for those angry words I said / Sometimes it gets to hurting / And the pain goes to my head / Sweet forgiveness."

She seems to have the most control over her singing on this track, as she crescendos midway through the song to the higher soprano notes. It sends chills down the spine the way her voice is in perfect rhythm with the piano, and when the piano recedes into the background a calm solo of the electric guitar begins. This song shows the true talent of Tedeschi and the control she has over her vocal chords.

The album has a way creating a peaceful and reassuring environment where one can transcend time and space. Even when the songs are slightly more upbeat one is still reminded that there is talent within every chord of the guitar and every peak of Tedeschi's voice.

Grade: AB