Judging by her songs, Molly Jenson keeps hope alive by tempering idealism with hard-won wisdom. Maybe Tomorrow — released independently in 2005, then reissued by Nettwerk in 2009 — reveals a quiet resolve behind a soft-spoken style. These tracks are often reminiscent of Sheryl Crow’s early releases, with a little of Aimee Mann’s wistful songcraft thrown in. Jenson’s folk-pop tunes frame conversational lyrics with folk-pop melodies embellished by unexpectedly jazzy chords, lending added sparkle to bittersweet waltzes like “And You Were” and “Thinking of You.” She can handle spiky rock romps as well, matching teasing vocals to crunching electric guitars on “The Edgy 8 Ball Song” and “Alongside You.” Upbeat or otherwise, Jenson leans towards critical self-analysis, whether she’s renouncing illusions (“Give It Time”) or dissecting a break-up (“Beginning Here”). As producer, Greg Laswell brings the same quirky mellifluence to this project that he displays on his own albums – “Do You Only Love the Ones Who Look Like You” is indicative of the carefully textured ambiance of these tracks. Maybe Tomorrow earns praise for its smarts, sincerity and musical grace.