It might be expected that the daughter of singer/songwriter Pierce Pettis would make music that’s both brainy and quietly spiritual. Grace Pettis displays a winning idealism and an awareness of the world’s injustices. “Nine to Five Girl” is a bittersweet portrait of a harried working woman that earned Pettis top honors in the 2009 Mountain Stage NewSong Songwriting Competition. The rock-tinged “Heard Enough Now” confronts an authority figure with a defiantly questioning attitude. More introspective are the dreamily jazzy “A Bird May Love” and the ruminative, Sarah McLachlan-esque “The Gypsy’s Code.” “What You Didn’t Want to Know” is an engaging slice of lovelorn torment. While Grace can’t be called carefree in attitude, she does allow herself a lighthearted moment with “Italy,” a sunny travelogue. All the tunes benefit from Pettis’ clear, emotive vocals, distinguished by her keening upper range. Grace Pettis is heartfelt and free from affectation and its fresh outlook is its strength.