Country Standard Time
The Connecticut-based Wiggins Sisters can effortlessly stretch, twist, and layer their elastic voices to custom-fit a variety of styles - country, pop, folk or blues. Their second effort, produced by Lloyd Maines, showcases the interpretive range of the sisters' vocals and harmonies. Straight-up folksong narratives like "Saturday Afternoon," "Ireland" and "Minnesota" appear among the layered, percussive sound of "Desperate Men" and the feelgood raucousness of "Boys from New Jersey" and "You're Mean."
Whether plaintive or rugged, whether producing tight, classic harmony or loose, harmonic echo, the Wiggins' shared vocal gene carries the album. The album's instrumentation - at times acoustically sparse, electrically driven, or rhythmically jangly - complements these varied vocals. Far from expressing one distinct musical style that transcends genres, however, the Wiggins Sisters instead show their comfort in adapting to several established forms.
Sing Out! Magazine
"There's nothing like hearing sibling voices and Mizzy and Casey WIggins have great ones. Typical of their sound is a strong melody line joined by a harmony line under it. At times the overall sound can be similar to Lucinda Williams, or the Indigo Girls and then you'll be thinking Buffy St. Marie or Michelle Shocked. This cameleon-like approach to each tune is one of their strengths. My vote for their next CD is for less production. They don't need a lot of extras, distracting from their best qualities; the versatility and strength of their vocals."
VillageRecords.com
It's been a long time since we've been floored by a new release. And even longer since we'd admit it. Casey and Mizzy Wiggins are the female counterpart to the Everly Brothers circa "Born Yesterday." Each cut is in a different style and they nail them all. Folk, country, pop, rock, a bit of jazz and some harmonies to die for. Lloyd Maines produces and does a stellar job. You want this disc. Trust me. It's already on our top ten list for the year.
Dirty Linen Magazine
"The songs on this second album are remarkable and except for two, were all written by one of the sisters. Add harmonies that are simply stunning and you're dealing with a major discovery. "Killing America's Soul" deals with children, guns, and misplaced values. "Minnesota" is as fine a song about bittersweet school reunions as you are likely to hear."
John Conquest, 3rd Coast Music, Austin, TX
"Gifted Songwriters...absolutely stunning harmonies...from tear it up rock and roll to tremendously evocative ballads...."
David S. Rush
"Wow, and Double Wow...There is not a bad track in the collection...EmmyLou, Lucinda...you gals have company.'
Ed Seifert
"Sad and passionate on some songs, playful on others, the new release brings to mind some of the great Everly Brothers records...Mizzy's voice brings the message through more fervently than the lyrics. If I didn't understand a word of English, I would still feel the pain coming through. Casey's shining moment is... 'Only Mine'. The only words in the chorus are 'You're only mine for a litle while'. I think anything more would have been overkill. She capture the whole bittersweet emotion of the song in those seven words..."
Marc Nolis, Rootstown MusicMagazine, Deurne, Belgium
"Mizzy and Casey Wiggins not only write beautiful songs, they sing like angels. With styles ranging from folk and pop to rag and jazz this is one of the most exciting discoveries in years. |