Firecracker Overview
When Winnipeg's Wailin' Jennys recorded their debut disc, 40 Days, back in 2004, their enthusiastic fan base--cultivated in part by significant airplay from CBC Radio One--provided the young group with a fast track to fame. Their fans' praise came first, critical acclaim arrived shortly thereafter, and a 2005 Juno for Best Roots & Traditional album soon followed. Surprisingly, as opportunities arose, founding member Cara Luft left the band, expediently replaced by Annabelle Chvostek. Thankfully, the Jennys' sound is none the worse for wear, even stronger in the respect that Chvostek's deft fiddle and mandolin playing helps to further uplift their melodies, while her warm alto adds a nice touch to the three part harmonies.
On this sophomore release, founding members Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody continue in the tradition of writing songs independently, with each songwriter taking the lead on her own tracks. Moody seems to have the strongest songwriting sense: Listening to "Things That You Know" and "This Heart Of Mine" makes one yearn to hear the Dixie Chicks cover these tracks with the vocal strength and three-part power that the Wailin' girls do not have… yet. With a country edge and a Celtic lilt, Firecracker is an enjoyable listen, but those looking for edgy, O Brother-style country and alt-folk might find a better fit seeking out Gillian Welch or the Be Good Tanyas. Roots fans looking to dip their toes into easy listening-style acoustic music, however, will find this to be a fine fit. --Denise Sheppard
Customer Reviews
My first problem quantified in my love for this album is the classification: I just can not call it folk, country, bluegrass, roots rock, or any other popular genre, so I have a name. Maybe we can call "Jenny Music". By the close vocal harmony, mild syncopated rhythms, and especially (but not exclusively) acoustic instruments refer to various genres sold without blocking one of them.
But this rejection, still tells us why many listeners enjoy left this group.Such purists may scratch their heads, but we like to listen to the music itself, to say how the art of music and lyrics the truth about our ears intact. I can not help but view the LP my father played when I grew up. After a childhood friend of Bill Monroe, the singing Lennon Sisters, Chet Atkins and Dolly Parton, this sound for me at home.
Lyrically the album focuses on alienation and loss. "Maybe the right time was not right." "I'm leavin 'this prairie city." "Living and Dying andgone. "In times like ours, Where rapid march of society, many of us feel like nomads in our homes, these issues can Affect is where we live. And the lyrics have a subtle poetry hear how many of us, the regular pop radio trade.
At a time when it may be much milder call music conglomerate disappointing Studios that inspire wailin 'Jennys hope that someone still cares about the songs themselves, They where their names. Showy, but not fear, cantabilebut not copied, embody the Jennys, what makes true music. Even after all this time, I still have a load of these songs.
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