WATERSHED is the first truly wonderful album of the year.

From the opening bars of the wistful I Dream Of Spring to the closing refrain of Jealous Dog, this gorgeous record borders on perfection.

kd lang has the most heavenly voice, but her best material has usually tended to be covers or collaborations.

Previous attempts at writing an album of new material have been patchy, but Watershed marks a return to writing since 2000's Invincible Summer. None of the songs is as instant as Miss Chatelaine or Simple, but Watershed more than equals past glories. Watershed must be heard in its entirety to appreciate the healing qualities of lang's perfect vocals.

Cat Powers is certainly courageous with her peculiar arrangements, which mostly deconstruct rock standards to the bone.

Although the likes of Joni Mitchell's Blue and Dylan's I Believe In You are suited to this treatment, James Brown's Lost Someone and Hank Williams's Rambling' (Wo)man are curious affairs, while Sinatra's New York New York is all but unrecognisable.

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