Though the EP follow up to the moody, noirish In the Ballroom features the same strong pipes from Meredith DiMenna and good guitar work from Keith Saunders, it’s a showcase for how confident the duo has become in their writing. They go all anthemic on “Love is a Stranger,” yet retain a distinctive edge, largely due to Saunders’ guitar sound and style. I actually hear a little bit of Heart in their approach, which oddly enough blends nicely with their Cowboy Junkie-ish retro foundation. Whatever influences or moods are being presented most forcefully or obviously from song to song, the core of the band, namely her pipes and his strings, are a constant, and a good constant. I look forward to hearing in what direction they head next.
-- William Carey [March 28, 2008]
