The Waifs – Ironbark

The Waifs have been a sustained triad for 25 years and are celebrating with the release of a two-disc, 25 song album, Ironbark.

Each member of the trio, Donna Simpson, Vikki Thorn and Josh Cunningham, has, in the past, written alone and then brought their respective songs to the group. This time, they wanted to try collaborating on songs. It didn’t work. So once again, this Waifs album has the diversity and range of each individual songwriter’s sound, while still feeling cohesive and thematic as a whole.

The title track is an all-in, rollicking, sing-a-long with motivational lyrics, sung in turn by each band member.

“Sugar Mama” has a comic hillbilly feel, while “Syria” is solemn, sparse and very moving. There’s the rocked up “Don’t You Ever Feel” and pure country “Goodnight Li’l Cowboy” complete with yodelling.

Ironbark explains The Waifs’ longevity and suggests they’ll be around for a little while longer.

★★★1/2

Reviewed by Rita Bratovich.