Using a patchwork musical quilt of
folk
and acoustic
pop
arrangements,
the Waifs
sound almost complete in a large number of songs. Although
Josh Cunningham
produces a majority of the songwriting, songs such as
"People Who Think They Can"
and the lively
"Shelter Me"
evoke images of a feminized
Crowded House
thanks to the
Simpson
sisters,
Vikki
and
Donna
. Structured in a cozy,
country
-like frame of harmonies and acoustic guitars, most of the album works all too well. A few songs, including the soulful
"Time to Part,"
seem a bit askew from the others, but aren't annoying to the senses. An album's best is sometimes saved for the last, and this is no exception, as the introspective
"Spotlight"
demonstrates the strengths of this trio perfectly.
"Attention"
and a hidden track, a live
jazz
version of
"Billy Jones,"
are also high points. The
effort seems to work slightly better than the
soul
or
efforts, but it's a case of splitting very fine hairs for a promising act from down under. ~ Jason MacNeil