The Henry Girls - Louder Than Words

Blending Irish and American roots styles with the retro sounds of close-harmony sibling groups of the ‘40s and ‘50s (Andrews and Beverly Sisters, for example), The Henry Girls have forged a sound of their own.

Their latest outing is another winner. It features recent single ‘Maybe’, a bluegrass tune that would give Dixie Chicks or Alison Krauss a run for their money. Also included is a take on Springsteen’s Nebraska-era offering ‘Reason To Believe’: they transform a dark and gritty tale into something slightly less threatening.

The irresistibly charming ‘So Long But Not Goodbye’ harks back to a sepia-toned era when crackly 78s and radio static were the order of the day; rousing fiddles underpin ‘No Matter What You Say’; and album closer ‘Here Beside Me’ begins in a capella style – almost like something from the soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou – before evolving into a full-blown gospel workout. It’s a great finale to a fine album.