CD reviews: The Staves

Having attracted support slots for The Civil Wars and Bon Ivor with their brand of bare-bones folk, Watford sisters Emily, Jessica and Camilla Staveley-Taylor add further weight to the argument that, sometimes, good vocals need little else.

That said, the follow-up to debut album Dead & Born & Grown does include occasional synthesisers, drums and, yes, gritty electric guitar - just enough to add some light and joy to what could have been a rather melancholic offering.

Still, it's hard to get too down when voices mingle and soar so confidently.

• The Staves. If I Was. Warner Music.

• Four stars (out of five)

Single download: Black and White
For those who like: Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell

- Shane Gilchrist