Having got her feet wet with her self-titled debut album, Shania Twain has taken a plunge with her second Mercury release The Woman In Me.
   From the first cut, "Home Ain't Where His Heart Is (Anymore)," to the beautiful a capella lullaby "God Bless The Child" every song is written by Shania or co-written with her husband/producer Robert "Mutt" Lange.
   Aside from the obvious power, depth and range, the Canadian singer exhibits, The Woman In Me is a showcase of Twain's willingness to experiment with her songwriting. "Any Man Of Mine," "(If You're Not In It For Love) I'm Outta' Here" and the album's first single, "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under," are rousing and vigorous cuts that pay tribute t the style and spirit of Loretta Lynn or Tammy Wynette.
   Then taking a different avenue, Shania mourns, weeps and celebrates love and lost love in "Is There Life After Love," "You Win My Love," "Raining On Our Love," "Leaving Is The Only Way Out" and "No One Needs To Know."
   The Woman In Me is an excellent stepping stone for Twain, who might one day be a measuring stick for future country stars. But until then, Shania Twain is the promise of where country music is heading - and the future never looked so good.

-Charlton Wiggins