One of the coolest things about Dido’s 1999 debut disc, “No Angel,” is that it seemed to leave listeners feeling somewhat indifferent initially, only to completely steal your heart after a few more spins. The songs on “Life for Rent”—again crafted by the “No Angel” team of Dido and her brother, Rollo (of British dance/electronic group Faithless)—are no more immediate. Yet, few are likely to have the same effect. The sentiments and performances here rarely resonate as deeply as those on “No Angel.” Although carefully honed and beautiful-sounding, “Life for Rent” is bound to disappoint: The soul and passion of her first disc is too often replaced here with blandness. As an album, it does not succeed as well as “No Angel.” But there are strong moments. The slow-building, sound effect- and string-laden “Who Makes You Feel” nicely recalls Sinéad O’Connor. The piano-spiced “This Land Is Mine” would have fit on “No Angel.”—Wo
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