With singer-songwriters walking the earth in continually expanding numbers, it's a wonder more of them don't band together to try to differentiate themselves from the pack. That's sort of the story of Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta, and Annabelle Chvostek, collectively known as the Wailin' Jennys.
Those who have the trio's first album, 40 Days, will note that Chvostek wasn't around then; she replaced Cara Luft early in 2005. But she's a perfect fit both as a singer -- she grounds the three-part harmonies as if she was born to the role -- and as a writer.
Firecracker is, first and foremost, gosh darn pretty. Whether leading with Moody's sweet soprano, Mehta's supple mezzo-soprano, or Chvostek's solid alto, the Jennys engage on a purely delightful level of melody and harmony. While none of the three songwriters can be pinned down to a single style, generally Moody tends toward catchy pop-style songs, Mehta goes for the introspective, slightly dark mood pieces, and Chvostek shows the most traditional folk roots.
Despite their strong individual personalities, they've put together a coherent and thematically consistent record. Firecracker is filled with images of loss, both natural and man-made, yet rarely gives in to despair. Love seems to go as fast as it comes, but it's always worth pursuing, for the essence of desire is its own hard-earned reward.
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