Australian-born singer, songwriter Missy Higgins is set to release her second album, “On A Clear Night,” Feb. 26. With her first single, “Where I Stood” on the CW’s Smallville and ABC’s hit dramedy “Grey’s Anatomy,” she has broken into the U.S. music scene with ease.

“On A Clear Night” has already been certified triple platinum in Australia and was rewarded the 2007 ARIA Award (Australia’s Grammy) as the country’s “Best Female Artist” for two years in a row. At the ripe age of 21, Higgins has been featured in “Rolling Stone” as one of the top 41 icons on what’s next in music and has been compared to the likes of Suzanne Vega and Sarah McLachlan.

Although Higgins has soulful melodies and catchy hooks, I’m not biting. Whether it be an up-tempo song or a soulful ballad, her tracks all sound the same. Her mix of Blue Grass sound and woman-empowering anthems just don’t get the job done.

With predecessors like Alicia Keys, Joss Stone and Sarah McLachlan, Higgins is trying to fill a void in a market that is not vacant. Keys and Stone already have taken over the whole woman-empowering, raspy voice, prodigy act and Higgins will always be compared to the likes of them.

Although I give her credit for writing her own songs in an industry full of Britneys, her lack of imagination for different tempos left me wanting something different when it was just more of the same.

The only songs that stood out to me were “Forgive Me” and her first single “Where I Stood.” In these slow ballads, her use of acoustic guitar in “Forgive Me” was raw and meaningful. Her vocals sounded best on this track and was attention-grabbing.

“Where I Stood” is an anthem for all women in their 20s who are trying find themselves without a man by their sides. This track was most relatable and her raspy Joss Stone voice stood out among the rest of her tracks.

With alternative music being at the fore front of the music industry, I am actually disappointed that female artists aren’t being held up to the same level as their male counterparts.

With so much female talent out there, if you don’t fit a particular look or package you are unmarketable regardless of talent. Higgins has the look but not necessarily the new sound or talent that the alternative music scene needs to keep thriving.

As for the rest of her tracks, they are lack luster and very bland. With only two tracks out of 11 being worthy of listening to, I think you are better off buying her songs on iTunes individually rather than spending your money on the whole CD.

Yasmine Bikul can be reached at [email protected]