AUSTIN, Texas - When a previous interviewer tells Brandi Carlile she looks just like Mandy Moore, she thanks him politely and quickly changes the subject: With a name like Brandi Carlile, she's used to people comparing her to vapid pop stars.

But in reality, Brandi has no more in common with Mandy than she does with Mickey Mouse. With her Roy Orbison-style voice and Radiohead-influenced songs, Carlile is one of rock's most promising young artists. Her latest album, "The Story," was produced by T Bone Burnett, best known for the "O Brother, Where Art Thou" soundtrack. And like most of his productions, "The Story" is steeped in folk,...