Let the Rain Fall

iTunes Review

Let the Rain Fall finds members Caroline Brooks, Kerri Ough, and Sue Passmore further refining their folk/jazz blend while retaining a quirky edge and playful sense of humor. The Canadian trio’s dazzling Andrews Sisters–like vocalizing is applied to a batch of tunes examining love and loneliness from a touring band's viewpoint. There’s plenty of zesty fun here, with “Free,” “Kiss Me in the Kitchen,” and “Oh, What a Thing” standing out for their exuberant spirit and teasing sexiness. “Lonesome Hearts” reaffirms the trio’s affinity for '30s-era music, while a cover of the K-OS tune “Crabbuckit” lets them cut loose in a bluesy jive workout. The wry but affectionate “Backyard” pays tribute to the Lovelies’ Toronto roots. Balancing all this whimsy and zaniness are such expressions of romantic longing as “Home,” “Best I Know,” and “Every Little Thing.” Passmore’s huskier vocals complement Brooks and Ough’s more honeyed tones, with Mac Rogers’ propulsive acoustic bass and Les Cooper’s lithesome mandolin and lap steel guitar adding extra sparkle to this smile-inducing collection.