SheDaisy – The Whole SheBang

 

Music: C    PCM Stereo: B     MLP 5.1: A-     DTS 6.1: A-     Extras: C

 

 

When it comes to country music there are certain things that must be addressed by today’s standards.  First is the fact that most of the music that is considered country on the radio is not, but only by name.  Likewise with Blues music there are only certain artists that should be considered true musicians of that genre.  SheDaisy is one act that came onto the music scene in the late 90’s trying to follow the footsteps of Faith Hill, Shania Twain, and The Dixie Chicks.  By making their music more mainstream, but still attempting a transition from the country scene. 

 

The group is comprised of three sisters, all equally skilled musicians and singers, yet while their music is polished it offers very little in the sense of originality.  The Whole SheBang is their debut album, and probably their best in the sense that at the time of its release it still seemed a likable style, but since then the reaction to such groups and even The Dixie Chicks in general have lost some appeal.  This entire album is extremely pop oriented and glossy.  Their vocals are charming at times, but only to some extent.  While the lyrics seem semi-passionate the music never exceeds the boundaries of average. 

 

Track Listing

 

Little Good-Byes

I Will…But

This Woman Needs

Before You and Me

Lucky 4 You (Tonight I’m Just Me)

Still Holding Out for You

Punishment

‘Cause I Like It That Way

Without Your Love

A Night to Remember

Dancing With Angels

 

There are a few standout tracks that break some of the formulaic patterns of this album, but what makes this album the most impressive is its DVD-Audio content.  Released with a few audio option are appetites are wet by a superb audio mix that brings forth more life than these tracks ever intended for.  There is a stereo mix, then the 5.1 mixes, which are MLP or DTS.  The two 5.1 mixes perform well, but the advantage to the DTS mix is that its actually encoded as a DTS-ES mix offering a sixth channel of sound coming out of the middle rear placement for those capable of 6.1 configurations.  There are reasons for liking both of these mixes as well.  The MLP is much smoother allowing for more fidelity in the upper range, but lacks some of the aggressiveness of the DTS mix, especially with a more prominent lower end.  If you like bass, then the DTS mix is more suitable.  There are some creative liberties taken with the DTS-ES mix as well, with more split channel activity occurring in the surrounds, and the middle rear channel.  This also gives a better sense of being surrounded.  Most of the music is directionalized with the vocals (lead vocals) coming from the front, while the harmonies or backing vocals splitting off into the surrounds.  The instruments that make up the majority or prominent portions of songs are featured more in the front soundstage, while instruments that come and go usually appear in the surrounds as well. 

 

Overall, this is SheDaisy at their best and they have not been heard of much since.  This is also the best way to hear them if one feels so inclined.  The mix itself is worth hearing just because of some of the creativeness that was implemented to bring forth certain elements of the group.  The DTS-ES mix ranks up among one of the best for DVD-Audio along with (also reviewed on this site) Sheila Nicholls Wake DVD-Audio album.

 

 

-   Nate Goss