Music: Sometimes a Circle

It can be tough living in the shadow of famous parents; Louise Goffin's folks are famous songwriters Carole King and Gerry Goffin, so it's pretty astonishing that she decided to become a musician at all. Her latest and best album, "Sometimes a Circle," has the sort of modern, well-produced pop sound that should be a surefire hit with somebody. Alternating between lonely wistfulness (the track "Quiet Anesthesia") and girlish seduction ("Sleep With Me Instead"), there's a pretty good variety of songs here. The title track is also pretty good.

Here's a Gap commercial that shows you what I mean by "living in the shadow" - there's nothing like being topped in a duet by your own mother: