Search - Wailin Jennys :: Firecracker

No Sophomore Slump Here: Oh, that Luscious Harmony

J. Weber | Washington State USA | 06/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Firecracker is the second full-length album from the Canadian trio The Wailin' Jennys. Their first, 40 Days, won a Juno (the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy) as roots and traditional album of the year, and set a very high standard. But Firecracker clearly escapes the sophomore jinx that so often afflicts second albums. How does it do it?



Maybe it's the result of the change in personnel -- alto Cara Luft left the group in late 2004 and Annabelle Chvostek joined soprano Ruth Moody and mezzo Nicky Mehta. Maybe it's the two years they've taken since the release of 40 Days. Maybe it's the hundreds of live shows they`ve done, including four guest appearances on A Prairie Home Companion in just seven months during 2005. Maybe it's the shift in musical focus -- gone are Luft's Celtic influenced songs; added is a more country flavor, enhanced by a talented array of backup musicians. But probably more than anything, Firecracker escapes the jinx because of what hasn't changed from 40 Days -- the beautifully composed, flawlessly executed, exquisitely gorgeous three-part close harmony.



Firecracker includes twelve original compositions with instrumental backup, plus one traditional song, Long Time Traveler, arranged by the Jennys and sung a cappella. Moody, Mehta and Chvostek each wrote four of the originals. Although each Jenny has a distinctive writing style, the songs work well together, and show a range of related influences, from alt-country, to contemporary folk, to Appalachian/roots. And although each Jenny has a very distinctive voice, and each sings lead on her own songs, the three voices blend together perfectly to produce their trademark harmonies.



Firecracker should win the Jennys many new fans. And for those lucky enough to see the trio live, it's an experience not soon forgotten. With gentle humor and multi-instrumental virtuosity, the Jennys quickly win over audiences. But the most striking thing, of course, is their distinctively lush harmony. It's just as flawless in their live shows, demonstrating that their sublime sound has nothing to do with studio wizardry, and everything to do with talent, lots of hard work, and an obvious passion for their music and their performances."

"SET YOUR SIGHTS A HOMEWARD"

David T. Steere, Jr. | Annapolis, MD United States | 06/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The third recording from the amazing Wailin' Jennys is a real corker. It's hard to imagine a more beautiful album will be released this year. Following their first indie release and 2004's gorgeous 40 DAYS, FIRECRACKER is even better. While many are focusing this year on the nice vocalizing of the magisterial Emmylou Harris and the quite different Mark Knopfler on their album of duets, ALL THE ROADRUNNING, FIRECRACKER may get much less attention than it deserves. You won't hear more exhilarating harmony work than that of the Jennys in this new cd.



Ruth Moody--of the sweetest soprano and a folkie bent--and Nicky Mehta--with a poignant mezzo voice and an otherworldly outlook--join their newest member, Annabelle Chvostek--who has her own beautiful alto and a nice edgy sensibility. Annabelle replaces Cara Luft in the trio and brings something wonderful to their already impressive musicianship. They all play acoustic instruments with great skill: Ruth--the accordion and banjo, Nicky--the harmonica and guitar, and Annabelle--a great mandolin and violin. As in their previous recordings, each of the Jenny's manage to retain their own sound and songwriting style while forging an unmistakable "Jennys sound" that is intoxicating.



"Home" is the recurring image and theme of FIRECRACKER. Nine of the 13 songs directly address this:



--"leave the dream of hearth and home"

--"in a better home soon I will reside."

--"a place to call your own, to call your home."

--"take me back to my beginning...take me home."

--"follow heart, follow home...one round heart, one round home."

--"now the coldest day of winter has made a home of my heart."

--"my soul now seeks another home"

--"looking for a place to find some rest"

--"you set your sights a homeward."



Loving the singing and writing of Ruth, Nicky and Annabelle, it's hard to single out particular cuts in this uniformly superb production. I was, however, struck by the particular poignancy of Nicky's songs ("Begin"--listen to the way she stretches her deliver of "let go," "Starlight"--the affecting mantra of "take me home...take me home," and "Avila"--a sweet and simple a capella number of exquisite harmony) and the exhilaration of Annabelle's ("The Devil's Paintbrush Road," "Swallow," "Apocalypse Lullaby," and the great title tune, "Firecracker"). Ruth Moody, too, continues to compose and deliver songs right from the heart.



Take yourself a homeward and listen."

One of the Best Albums I've Heard in a While!

C. Stone | Oklahoma | 05/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Usually, when I purchase a CD, there are a couple of songs that I skip whenever I listen to it. Not this one. Every single song is highly enjoyable. Lovely lyrics, beautiful harmony vocals, quality musicianship -- Firecracker has it all."