Rose Mehlberg and Jen Sbragia have great success doing with one line what Robert Frost did with two; where Frost had to repeat "And miles to go before I sleep" to convey both the immediate and the eventual, the soft and fragile vocals of Rose and Jen make each line of their quiet pop already brim with multiple meanings. As they sing, "I hope you have sweet dreams/And I hope you never leave me", the sincerity comes through, but their harmonies are so mighty that melodies are permeated with loss and despair each time their voices rest. I think they know their voices can become this addictive to their audience, and they smartly use pauses in their songs to maximum dramatic effect. You end up never knowing what these Softies truly wish for, as there's an intentional breeze of melancholy flowing through even their most twee moments.

For example, "Favorite Shade of Blue" begins with these lines: "I have a yellow and navy sun dress/Maybe I'll wear it today/It reminds me of you/Your favorite shade of blue". Later on, you'll get a line about missing this remembered love more than anyone else, but you have already felt the hole in the Softies' life by the word "maybe". To react so swiftly to a song means I was often unable to accurately interpret it -- but have you ever expected to feel bad for a dress that may not get worn by a singer (this time, just Rose) in a song? It's amazing that the Softies can accomplish this.

Holiday in Rhode Island has been a treat to hear and hear again, and I think it will stand for a long time as among the prettiest records I own. The Softies have wisely expanded their sound to include organs and all that sixties girl-group stuff, creating and album that's more musically diverse than their other classic, It's Love. These new additions wrap themselves beautifully around the group's always-gorgeous voices and acoustic guitars, enabling the pieces to distinguish themselves from each other (which is the only problem I know that the band has had in the past). Therefore, consider this CD to be their new "crowning achievement", as well as a must for all fans of the Nields, the Everly Brothers, the Shirelles...and of any band you have in your present collection.