collection of songs that somehow feel both retrospective and contemporary. Take "Like A Feather," for instance: The dance-worthy number generated a media buzz when Tommy Hilfiger chose it as the background music for his latest TV ad, in which hip-hop stars Eve, Jermaine Dupri, and Rah Digga bop around to the tune. Over pimped-out keyboards, jazzy beats, and funky electric guitars, Costa (who never physically appears in the ad) confidently croons in the high-pitched styling of old school soul.

Other standouts include the straight-ahead rock anthem "Tug of War," the anguished, Country-flavored ballad "Nothing," and the funk-laced "Some Kind of Beautiful." Lyrically, most of the songs explore liberation in its various forms. Whether she's singing about letting go of a pessimistic lover ("So Have I For You") or fear of her dreams ("Tug of War"), Costa finds a way to tell the listener that freedom lies in staying true to yourself. "Somehow I know there's a time for every star to shine," Costa sings on the title track. It appears that Costa's time is now. (KRISTIN ROTH - May 21, 2001)