SARAH McLEOD: Beauty Was a Tiger (Naughty Mouse Ink).

SARAH McLeod has long been one of riveting voices in Aussie rock, but keeping the troubled Superjesus together seemed to sap some of her energy. Solo at last, the singer/guitarist has stepped out with a raw, direct album that puts her vocals front and centre. McLeod's not afraid to get down and dirty (Loveless, Let's Get Together, Gutter Queen) and is equally comfortable delivering melodic pop with bite (Private School Kid, All But Gone).

JEFF CRAWFORD