Delta Goodrem - Delta

“Five years after establishing herself as Australia’s premier female vocalist, 23-year-old singer/songwriter Delta Goodrem at last earns a concerted effort to launch stateside, thanks to resuscitated Mercury imprint Decca. Overseas, this is actually Goodrem’s third album, a vivacious 12-song showcase of versatility and melodic mastery led by celebratory piano romp “In This Life,” already top 35 at adult top 40 stateside. Equally affecting are sweet, redemptive midtempo ballad “Believe Again,” frolicking reggae finger-snapper “You Will Only Break My Heart,” somber confessional “God Laughs” and a remastered encore of “Born to Try,” the stunning ballad that first propelled Goodrem to the top in 2003. With successes from Leona Lewis, Katy Perry and Natasha Bedingfield proving that the public hungers for quality female pop, timing is a bull’s-eye for Goodrem’s deliciously tasteful U.S. bid. —Chuck Taylor”