Firecracker is the third record from Winnipeg songbird trio The Wailin’ Jennys. To their credit, they avoid the shiny commercial trappings of the Dixie Chicks and instead present honest, lyrically solid songs that are given a lightly-buffed roots-music treatment Firecracker is the third record from Winnipeg songbird trio The Wailin’ Jennys. To their credit, they avoid the shiny commercial trappings of the Dixie Chicks and instead present honest, lyrically solid songs that are given a lightly-buffed roots-music treatment. All the necessary ingredients required to make the cash registers sing are there though. They can definitely sing, the tunes have a low-key hooky charm to them and the musicianship is excellent. Of particular note are the contributions of stringmeister Kevin Breit. The only drawback to this CD being all it could have been is the tendency towards medium-tempo material, however repeated listening reveal many fine touches in the background. Requires listener participation but yields its rewards in return. B+