| The sisters' second album didn't meet with the same amounts of high praise 
        that their debut album allowed for, but the McGarrigles have rarely every 
        been about critical appraisals. This album shows a genuine love for traditional 
        music -- not to mention a marvelous sense of humor and a skill for the 
        melding of multiple genres into one living, breathing entity. Excellent 
        musicianship abounds on the album, no doubt aided by players like bluegrass 
        pioneer Bill Monroe, John Cale, Dave Mattacks, and Pat Donaldson (both 
        British folk luminaries from Fairport Convention and Fotheringay). A few 
        cuts on the album simply opt for the traditional route. "No Biscuit 
        Blues" is a rolling, short, happy take on traditional blues with 
        the sisters' vocals providing solace above the vaguely hippy-dippy instrumentation. 
        "Hommage a Grungie" takes a similar route using piano blues 
        with a bit of a back-porch honk and a woozy disposition. It's often the 
        piano-led, more dramatic pieces that work best for the sisters. "Kitty 
        Come Home" is a searching piano piece with a slight vocal waver and 
        a building of intensity that comes through the warm organ accents and 
        harmonies. It's a dramatic, pleading song. "Southern Boys" is 
        also set at the piano, but there is no pleading on this track, although 
        there's plenty of drama. Easily the strongest track, the eerie melody 
        has a chorus that seems to glide in from reverse. As momentum gathers, 
        the melody begins to rock evenly back and forth and a drunken structure 
        is established. This is a fine ode to the South. There is an unevenness 
        that comes through on many tracks on the album. The leisurely approach 
        and reliance on occasional silly lyrics often make the album sound a bit 
        too frilly. One wishes there were more tracks like "Southern Boys" 
        or "Blanche Comme la Neige" (a traditional tune that is one 
        of the strongest interpretations on the album due to its reliance on the 
        vocal interchanges and light orchestration; it drifts from traditional 
        French folk to British folk easily and successfully). No doubt this is 
        a fun record to listen to. It's hard to deny the merits of a French/Canadian/hippie 
        folk record. But there is certainly a difference between a record that 
        is fun, well-meaning, and excellently played and one that is great.  (by Jon Pruett, All 
        Music Guide) |