Personnel: Suzanne Vega (vocals, acoustic guitar); Gerry Leonard , Jimmy Hogarth (acoustic guitar); Lee Ranaldo (electric guitar); Matthew Ward (violin); Philip Shepard (cello); London Studio Orchestra (strings); Martin Slattery (brass); Mike Veseglia, Sam Dixon, Tony Shanahan (bass guitar); Doug Yowell, Graham Hawthorne (drums); Pete Davis (programming); Ruby Froom, Anthony Genn, Emily Singer, Beccy Byrne, KT Tunstall (background vocals).

Suzanne Vega took a six-year break from recording before returning with her Blue Note Records debut, BEAUTY AND CRIME. Despite her new label's storied history as a jazz label, Vega's comeback album has even fewer jazz elements than her new label-mate Norah Jones. BEAUTY AND CRIME is a richly detailed, modern-sounding alternative rock record that touches on all previous elements of Vega's career, from the crisp folk-rock of her first two albums to the electronic sheen of 99.9 DEGREES and the orchestral delicacy of DAYS OF OPEN HAND. Lyrically, the album is a love note to Vega's New York City roots, blending the autobiographical ruminations of "Ludlow Street" with imaginative explorations such as the romantic "Frank and Ava."

Entertainment Weekly (p.69) - "The brushed drums and acoustic guitars of 'Anniversary' allow her whispery voice room to breathe..." -- Grade: A-

Dirty Linen (p.43) - "It is perhaps her most eclectic album to date, shifting from bouncy pop songs to more familiar folk."