Hailing from Prince Edward Island, Catherine MacLellan is quickly becoming one of the most respected names in the Canadian roots scene. Previous album Church Bell Blues topped the Canadian Roots charts and saw her mentioned alongside the likes of Jenn Grant and near name sake Melissa McLelland. A glimpse at the contributors list to the album shows that already MacLellan can pull out some of the finest roots musicians to lend a hand.Album opener 'Take A Break' gives an indication of what is to follow for the rest of the record. An upbeat poppy take on Country, Maclellan’s vocals coming across with a slight jazzy tinge. With a walking bassline so trad it sounds like it could be the preset on a Casio keyboard, it sees familiar country tropes trotted out once again- working hard out in the fields, chiding errant lovers.For the most part Water in the Ground follows along these very traditional lines, swinging along pleasantly, getting toes tapping in all the right places. 'Hotel Stairs' is a jaunty number, liberally doused in Nick Cobham’s twanging guitar lines. The shuffling 'Something Gold' manages to move MacLellan away from the country by numbers and the mostly acoustic 'All Those Years' continues this trend, her delicate emotive voice haunted by the ghosts of her past, to the sound of a gentle acoustic guitar and a subtle cello part courtesy of Phil Sedore.It doesn’t last long however and the twang returns for 'Set This Heart On Fire' and 'Not Much To Do (Not Much To Say)' serves up a shuffling jazzy boogie, with sweet harmonies and trite lyrics: “not to much to do not much to say/ would have been yours to the end of the day/ You’ve gone off but here I stay.”Also included in the Water In The Ground package is a copy of MacLellan’s mail order only debut Dark Dream Midnight. Where the latest record is full of bright, breezy pop with more than a hint of the country swing of Eddie Reader, MacLellan’s debut is presented mostly in the minor key. It suits MacLellan well, allowing a lyrically more open and emotional approach, without sacrificing her knack with a melody. The melancholy 'Until One Of Us Goes' is a real highlight, and shows a depth absent on Water In The Ground. There’s even an experiment with guitar feedback squalling in the background of 'February Song'.Water In The Ground is undoubtedly a well performed and realised album, but it lacks any of the edge that can occasionally be glimpsed on its predecessor. While fans of straight up country may well take it to their hearts, too often the familiar structures and ideas reduce it to little more than pleasant background music.Water in The Ground :61% Dark Dream Midnight: 65%Catherine MacLellan on Myspace