Sister Girl
Album: Amazing Things Happen
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.sistergirlmusic.com

Sister Girl are a five piece Canadian country band comprising of lead vocalists and acoustic guitarists Joanne Stacey and Sharlene Foisy; bassist, pianist and harmony vocalist Janine Carey-Bourke; Stephanie Ballendine on banjo, keyboard and vocals and, finally, drummer and vocalist Russ Brackenbury - none are sisters and only four are girls.

As all five band members sing their take on country is straightforward- the voice is Queen and the various instruments are generally pushed into the background. But it is their lyrics that make you sit up and listen; like all country songs a fair few concern loss and cheating and standing by your man, but these have a twist, the odd line in 'Truck Drivers Wife' and 'To Get Me Over You' is just enough to set them apart. With a line like "Though I color my hair / I am proud of my roots" I'll forgive the the terrible title 'That's How I Roll'.

The title album's track is perilously close to slipping into motivational poster territory but is saved by the simplicity of the arrangement (clean piano and pure harmonies). 'Free Bird' is country gospel at it's finest despite a subject matter that I'm guessing does not regularly appear at a Sunday morning service.

It would be very easy for Sister Girl to slip into schmaltz and I hope that they retain their lyrical sharp edge to avoid that.

John 'The Jacket' Hawes