For an artist mentored by Metallica's Kirk Hammett who has also worked with the Brian Jonestown Massacre, Miranda Lee Richards is one mellow musician. The follow-up to her 2001 debut evokes her Cali dream-pop heroes Mazzy Star, although Richards' music is airier and poppier — think of it as freak folk with just a schmear of freak. "Life Boat" is a big, warm hug with dub effects, pedal steel and hash-den tambourine; "Mirror at the End" sports a chorus big enough for Sheryl Crow. Delivered in a pure, unblemished voice, even the sad songs are comforting, occasionally to a fault. But these days, too much comfort is nothing to sniff at.