• Play the Founders Title Folk Festival, and crash the party with the Go Girls unofficial SXSW Showcase, and Gorilla Showcases at Folk Alliance.

After all that, the last thing Sarah Sample wanted to make was just another folkie -girl-with-acoustic-guitar album. Sure, the songs were born as just an acoustic guitar and a voice. And, in the folk tradition she loves and respects so much, would likely be taken across America that way. But she didn't want to document them that way. At least not this time.

Enter Scott Wiley (Bonnie Raitt, Tracy Chapman, Elliott Smith) and a new sonic palette. With plenty of reverence for the songs- because, after all, it's all about the songs- they set out to take Sarah's music into new territory. The album "Never Close Enough" is to Sarah Sample as "Flaming Red" is to Patty Griffin: a marked departure from a promising, acoustic debut but never too far away from her soulful folk roots. Sarah's passionate, soul-stirring voice is still up front. And her compassionate, empathetic take on the human condition and her melodic polaroids are more moving than ever in songs like "Noah" and the title track. Fresh (dare we say rocking?) ground is broken on movers and shakers like "Pull the Plug" and "If You See Me Walking." A horn section takes us all to church on "Moonlight Band." Still, songs like "Sunrise or Two" and "Count the Colors" are sure to feel like that familiar, favorite sweater on a quiet night to longtime listeners.