The Whole Shebang: All Mixed Up

SHeDAISY is one of those contemporary country acts who are country in name only. Using the work of Faith Hill, Shania Twain, and the Dixie Chicks as a starting point, the three Osborn sisters -- Kristyn, Kelsi, and Kassidy -- have created an appealingly polished collection of modern country-pop, which means it sounds as much (if not more) like mainstream, radio-ready adult contemporary pop as it does contemporary country. For purists, that will be a problem, but the fact of the matter is, SHeDAISY does this music very well and their debut, The Whole Shebang, is every bit as winning as Hill's Faith and Twain's Come on Over, even if it doesn't quite match the Dixie Chicks' Wide Open Spaces. The key to the record's success is not only the sisters' harmonies, which are very good, but Kristyn Osborn's fine songwriting skills. She wrote or co-wrote every song on the album, and while there are a few tunes that feel like filler, most of them are well-crafted, melodic, memorable songs which are distinctive enough to give the group their own identity. The Whole Shebang may not be pure country, but its glossy pop sheen and big hooks, along with SHeDAISY's charismatic vocals, are enough to make it a winning debut. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine