The new frontier may just be a myth from a Merle Haggard song these days. But there’s still the Australian outback. Some of the most authentic-sounding Americana around is currently being made Down Under. Kasey Chambers is a pioneer, and there’s even an Aussie label called Laughing Outlaw. But best of all are The Waifs. Led by the voices of Donna and Vicki Simpson (one of whom has the sexiest Southern drawl this side of Lucinda Williams), Up All Night’s a wondrous collection of acoustic-based country-folk songs, full of wit and rootsy passion.
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