Drops: '100 Miles from Memphis' as Crow flies

Sheryl Crow is living proof that what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

After a few turbulent years that included a very public bout with breast cancer and an even more public breakup with Lance Armstrong, Crow has returned with the best work of her career - 2008's fiery, rocking "Detours" and now, the sunnier, soulful "100 Miles from Memphis" (A&M).

In many ways, "100 Miles From Memphis" sounds like it has been secretly stored away for decades, cut from the same Stax-steeped, blues-covered cloth that inspired Bonnie Raitt's "Green Light." The simple, straightforward pop melodies - especially in the lighthearted single "Summer Day" and the reggae-tinged, Keith Richards-fueled "Eye to Eye" - feel like they bounced right off some Top 40 AM radio station in the late '70s. They only get stronger with the slinky Sly Stone guitar grooves and laid-back funky keyboard riffs.

Crow's surprises don't stop there. Justin Timberlake backs her up on a sultry, Al Green-ish reworking of Terence Trent D'Arby's "Sign Your Name," while Citizen Cope drops by for her take on his song "Sideways." And the bonus track is "I Want You Back," a sweet tribute to Michael Jackson, for whom Crow used to work as a backing singer.

She mostly stays away from politics this time, though Crow's upbeat challenging of Sarah Palin in "Say What You Want" does pack quite a Stevie Wonder-ful wallop - a sign that Crow won't let anyone spoil her happy "100 Miles From Memphis" trip.