It seems we're in an odd world when people have to talk about comebacks while still in their 20s. But such is the rapid pace of the media and entertainment universe we live in, and perhaps that just makes it all the more satisfying when a talent like Vanessa Carlton comes back to give us more of her best.

The 27-year-old Carlton, well-trained in classical piano and ballet, had a big hit in 2002 with the song "A Thousand Miles," off her debut album, "Be Not Nobody." The song hit the top five on the Billboard charts and received three Grammy nominations, and it seemed that the then-22-year-old was on a solid track to megastardom. But her second album, "Harmonium," failed to generate the excitement or success of her debut, leading her to break off with her label. After several years spent touring, this year saw a welcome development, as Carlton was signed by hip-hop impresario Irv Gotti for his revived label, The Inc. Records. Her new album on The Inc., "Heroes and Thieves," was released last October.

Bankrate spoke to Carlton about the new record, the hard times that led up to it, and the surprising mentors that helped make it a reality.

Bankrate: In the song "Nolita Fairytale," you sing, "Take away my record deal/ Go on I don't need it/ Spent the last two years getting to what's real." Please elaborate.

Vanessa Carlton: I live this very transient life, where when I'm on the road, I'm this traveling circus member. Then I hit the road (opening for) Stevie Nicks, and it was amazing. After the show I would always go into her dressing room and we would have long talks. This was in 2005 -- my transformation started two years ago.

So that lyric is about, in addition to finding this anchor, plus settling down in Nolita (in Manhattan) and having this quasi-domestic life, I was also, every couple of months, leaving to go on the road with Stevie, and she really helped me through that time where I left my label. I was going to -- and I still will do this -- just start scoring films and writing songs for other people.

The majority of how I support myself is through publishing -- I'm a writer -- and I would be just as happy without having to have my mug on the front of the friggin' (CD cover). It's so much pressure to have all this music underneath the heading of your name. It's a lot. Stevie's been doing this for many years, and she's achieved all the things most female musicians would like to achieve, which is being so purely herself and being able to express herself artistically and consistently for so many years, and have an impact on the world because of that.