The Civil Wars – Barton Hollow
Sensibility Music
-out now
4 / 5
There is little as refreshing as an intimate male/female duet; Swell Season knows it, and Fleetwood Mac certainly knew it. Joy Williams and John Paul White must sense something special in their debut studio LP, because without flash and without pomp, we can say “Barton Hollow” is a delightful, gorgeous slice of Americana. Their romantic tracks here are pared down, sporting rhythmic guitar and sometimes banjo/piano, because who wants to hear anything else when the vocals are so soothing and beautiful? We dig the title track especially, but there’s nary a weak one here, which is all the more impressive considering Williams and White have nearly no instruments to hide behind. What else is there to say? It’s delicate, it’s straightforward, it’s passionate; pick this one up and play with wine. Certainly recommended.
Connect to the Civil Wars site, and download their previous album!