Whilst easily one of the most distinctive female pop vocalists of the last ten years, with her hot-headed persona and torching rock vocals barrelling through empowered songs both infectious and tender, P!nk did step back into line somewhat for more one-size-fits-all last album I'm Not Dead . Her voice aside, there was little pull her apart from her peers or to suggest she'd ever again go on to release anything as definitive as her breakthrough album M!ssundaztood . But whether driven by young pretenders like Katy Perry making a grab for her crown or by that perennial emotional motivator--break-up (she was divorced between albums)-- Funhouse utterly redeems P!nk. From the front cover through most tracks on the record she stokes the wild-child inside herself that made her famous in the first place, but in most examples there is also evidence of a fostering maturity, whether in the crystal beauty and depth of ballads "Glitter In the Air" or "I Don't Believe You" or the firm-handed command of more built-up tunes like the Red Hot Chili Peppers vs. Joan Jett coarseness of "Sober" or sassy rocker "Boring" that somewhat improbably combines The Dandy Warhols' "Horse Pills" and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' "Get Ready For Love" as though delivered by the Pussycat Dolls. And maturity aside, bold first single "So What" and future-funk swing dance "Bad Influence" are about the catchiest, and indeed gutsiest, things she's delivered in years. --James Berry