The Justice sisters definitely didn't disappoint with their long-awaited 4th record. Along with keeping some of their familiar style, they've added a little bit more of a rock feel to some of their tunes. Younger sister Tabitha gets a little bit more limelight on this CD as well...having written and leading the vocals on 4 of the 13 tracks. 
Heart of the Brave is a woeful yet cheerful tune telling about a young girl meeting her prince Charming, and soon after their wedding, he heads off to fight for Scotland. My nitpick about this tune is that the guitar could be turned up a bit louder...it's harder to hear it at times, even though it seems like it's supposed to be leading the number.
Gypsy Firelight Tune is definitely one of the hottest tunes on the disk...oldest sister Havilah leads it with her violin that seems to be out-of-this-world when it comes to speed and accuracy. 
Fiddler's Drums sets the scene for a duel between the "Fiery Strings" (violin and viola - Havilah and Abigail) between the pulse-peddling bodhrans (Heather and Tabitha), but does seem a bit 'empty' at times without a guitar to fill out the background. 
The girls mix a traditional blend when it comes to "Rocky Top", lead-vocalist Heather Mantel singing the sweet bluegrass tune as well as she can lead on the more traidtional Celtic and Irish ballads. To complete the brew, "Orange Blossom Special" is mixed in the middle.
"Hallelujah", "Hymn Medley", and "The Prayer" are the three religious tunes on the disk. The first and third were written by youngest sister Tabitha, who sings lead vocals and leads her sisters on guitar for both numbers. Hymn Medley, comprised of "Jesus Lover of my Soul" and "I Will Arise", starts out with goosebump-bearing vocals by Heather, and then the three other sisters join in as the song picks up the pace.
But without a doubt, the amazing 4-part harmony accapella numbers 'Irish Blessing' and 'Star Spangled Banner' are the star point, at least for me, sending shivers up and down your spine on the close and perfect harmonies on both of these songs.
Filling out the CD are instrumental numbers "Waves of the Wind", "Friesian Winds", "Dark Dancing Waves", and "Maidens Medley", all great examples of the girls' long-practiced prowess on their instruments.
All in all, another great record girls! Looking forward to the next one!
                            Read more...