Local roots trio The Wailin' Jennys have a lot to sing about these days: a U.S. record deal, a Juno Award in 2005 and stints on the NPR radio show A Prairie Home Companion Local roots trio The Wailin' Jennys have a lot to sing about these days: a U.S. record deal, a Juno Award in 2005 and stints on the NPR radio show A Prairie Home Companion. Now they can add their new CD Firecracker to the list. Out this Tuesday, the disc is an affirmation of all the praise heaped on the ladies (Annabelle Chvostek, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody) for their debut back in 2004. Mixing contemporary pop-rock with traditional folk and bluegrass, the trio elevates everything to a level of near-transcendence with elegant backwoods harmonies that recall Alison Krauss and her O Brother ilk. But it's the individual touches -- Moody's Celtic training, Chvostek's cabaret background and Mehta's keen ear for classic pop -- that ensure Firecracker really lights up the skies.
Sun Rating: 4 out of 5