Warm, soothing and very relaxing, Dala could be mistaken for a group that might have appeared on
Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair odyssey. The core duo of Amanda Walther and
Sheila Carabine shine on the touching and ethereal opening title track. The pop sensibilities are ever present during the poppy "Anywhere Under the Moon" which resembles a cross between Canadian band
Shaye and
Sheryl Crow. The lone miscue might be how abrupt the tune concludes, but it's still quite good. Fans of
Stevie Nicks or
the Dixie Chicks would also lap up a stellar roots-oriented lullaby entitled "Sunday Dress." The band definitely plays to its strengths of great harmonies and great melodies during the pop-folk of "Marilyn Monroe" and the haunting "Hockey Sweater" with a subtle guitar in the distance, somewhat resembling
Cowboy Junkies if lead singer
Margo Timmins ever opted for a solo career. And while there are several jewels offered up, perhaps the cream of this sonic crop is the stunning "The Sweetest Ones," which is almost criminally sweet. A close second is the well-crafted "Perfect Photo" with its adult contemporary flavoring. ~ Jason MacNeil