The Waifs - Temptation

Author

Aaran Gicquel

Published

Wednesday 10th August

Jarrah Records

The Waifs are as much apart of the Australian landscape as they are one of the biggest independent folk country acts in Australia to date. With ARIA acclaim from previous albums Sun Dirt and Water and Up All Night the trio have toured the country constantly growing and gaining loyal fans and admirers, for many a sun drenched summer.

Temptation makes this The Waifs sixth studio record and a hard slog for the each band member living on different sides of the country. On first listen Temptation has an incredibly warm and resonant feeling, having been recorded to analogue tape at Underwood studios in Minneapolis, and every song flows with true Waif’s blues and folk country stylings.

The album opens with ‘I Learn the Hard Way’ with Donna Simpson’s signature, tho somewhat tamed from previous records, country blues swagger and Josh Cunningham’s biting slide guitar. Vikki sings the next track ‘Buffalo’ which is a personal favorite on the album for its indie-esqe guitar hooks and overall playfulness. The rest of the album has some spiritual references scattered in, and is very much the same mix of Josh’s clever and tasteful guitar work and the girls strong story telling that The Waifs are known for.

Although nothing overly unheard from The Waifs camp, Temptation is the Waifs we all know and the fans will already have the album spinning learning all the new lyrics for their next tour stop in WA. Besides being an extension of their catalogue Temptation is still a great album, and should be included on any road trip into the sun drenched Australian landscape.