Monday, Sep. 07, 1998

Nothing But Love

By RICHARD CORLISS

Look out, LeAnn Rimes: a couple of kids are gaining on you. Amanda Wilkinson, 16, and brother Tyler, 14, are two-thirds of this Canadian country trio. Dad Steve sings harmony and co-wrote many of the tunes, which echo the sweet simplicity of Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers. Don't I Have a Heart gives a nice airing to Tyler's pubescent fretfulness, a mix of bravado and bafflement ("I don't have a clue,/ But don't I have a heart?"). And Amanda is the true vocal goods--her precocious alto dusky and authoritative--plus, she yodels. The whole CD is a lovely throwback. Innocence has rarely sounded so seductive.

--By Richard Corliss