Mention the series finale of “Six Feet Under” to any fan of the hit HBO show and they’ll gasp, and then exclaim “That SONG!” With one little, legendary music placement Sia Furler, billed simply as Sia, was launched into industry orbit with her single “Breathe Me” and received the kind of exposure that makes stars shoot. Now over two years after rising out of “Six Feet Under” Sia delivers “Some People Have Real Problems,” her second full-length record since we buried the Fishers and her career fourth.

Taking a few steps away from the epic feel of “Breathe Me”, Sia grabs hands with Producer Jimmy Hogarth and spins out an earthy, groovy, highly listenable set of 13 new songs. In most cases the references to Fiona Apple are unavoidable, with Sia’s lush, vibey, vocals and evocative arrangements shaping the total sound. Often unlike Apple, however, are the constant sweetness and whimsy running through with the sense that this is a woman in love. With all 13 tracks written solely or primarily by Sia, her trademark yet comfortable quirkiness imprints the entire album and at every turn there is the voice of someone who has been waiting a long time to sing these stories.

Based on a simple acoustic rhythm arrangement of drums, bass, guitar, piano, “Real Problems” follows in the trend of scaled down production that is all the rage among female singer/songwriters of the day, while taking a somewhat original approach and maintaining great energy. Though the record as a whole suffers from lack of diversity in the production, Hogarth and Sia take too much of the same thing and do it as well as anyone can. An immediate standout, “The Girl You Lost to Cocaine” has Miss Thang dropping an addict lover and channeling a bit of a Debbie Harry “One Way or Another” vibe with catty vocals, a killer chorus, and ATTITUDE. Other must-hears are the stunner “You Have Been Loved” and “Lentil.” Like the bean.

A few tracks feature brief offshoots from the too-present romantic/contemplative tone but fall short of really lifting off. “Death By Chocolate” takes a stab at being a love anthem but lacks the Carole King energy that is needed to make a song of its type soar and smothers clever lyrics in a leftover Mariah Carey background vocal arrangement.

“Acaedemia” and “Playground” include some interesting moments but their obvious effort to be quirky comes off as cutesy and leaves the feeling of a ploy to get a song on the “JUNO” soundtrack. Though the second half of the record struggles, all is paid off with the impeccable closing track “Lullaby”, which seems to be visited by the ghost-magic of Jeff Buckley and touched ever so slightly by the best of the earliest recordings from Jewel. I know I am risking being drawn and quartered in the town square for putting Jewel anywhere near the vicinity of Buckley, but believe me, “Lullaby” makes it work and modestly showcases the best of what Sia has to offer.

Even with its snags and bobbles, “Some People Have Real Problems” is one of the best releases 2008 will see and is sure to be an excellent live show. Sia’s vocals and whimsical yet substantial presence are more than enough to win out, and as long as she’s working the only ‘real problem’ will be the wait for the next record.

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