With their dream-folk version of the Cure’s "Just Like Heaven," The Watson Twins quickly proved they were more than back-up singers. With its touch of harmonica, the cover was enchanting.
On their debut Fire Songs, the famed identical Kentucky twins step out from behind Jenny Lewis and now-defunct Slydell, a local L.A. act the sisters formed from the Silverlake scene – home to Beck, Elliot Smith, the Silversun Pickups and Rilo Kiley – they came into after arriving from Louisville in 1997.
The album, released today on Vanguard Records, serves up slowed-down, sunny folk-pop and the instrumentation is impressive, as each song explores its own dimension of Americana, bluegrass, country, folk, gospel and jazz.
"How Am I To Be," the album’s opener, unites a catchy ’60s piano riff with matching guitar. "Fall" highlights jazzy melodies and signature Watson harmonies, while a cello accents the breakdown and chorus for a dynamic effect.
However, "Dig a Little Deeper," midway into the set, brings suspicion that the Twins are only scratching the surface of their potential. While their songwriting maturity could rival Sarah McLachlan’s or Suzanne Vega’s, it is somewhat emotionally and lyrically deficient.
That said, Fire Songs could fall short for those with admittedly high expectations. This is supposed to be the best of the best; the sisters reportedly secured and honed these 11 tracks from an initial 30.
Although a good first effort, a certain level of risk is missing. Either the Twins are wise beyond their years, or they are holding back a vulnerability their predecessors have. Carlene Carter has sung about addiction, death, and loss; Suzanne Vega has sung her reflections on aging; and Lucinda Williams sang about divorce. Maybe life experience is what this record lacks.
For example, "Sky Open Up" has a charming lead guitar and a buildup that peaks with the repetition of the last line, "Will we all fail this task at hand/ are we not able to change the plan/ So let us rise above all these walls and break/ break break them down down."
This, at best, is the vague voice of invaluable experience on the album, which they undoubtedly must possess. It would have taken courage to move from the home where they grew up – where they could get in trouble for little things like singing at the dinner table – to L.A., with nothing but each other and a dream.
In many ways, they’ve made it. They’ve performed live on David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O’Brien and Craig Kilborn. They’ve sung to sold-out crowds at L.A.’s Getty Center. They’ve toured the world, playing SXSW, Bumbershoot, Camper Campout and Pop Montreal. Even "Time of My Life," from their 2006 self-released Southern Manners EP was featured on ABC’s hit show Grey’s Anatomy. They owe it to themselves and what they’ve accomplished thus far to put those guts and that dream into their music.
"Waves," the album’s closing track, is different, and may be the best, causing listeners to instinctively hum and tap their feet. It’s upbeat and builds sweet lyrics with matching melody and keys.
As for pure sound quality, Fire Songs is pleasant. Producers Russel Pollard, from Sebadoh and Folk Implosion, and J. Soda, from Slydell and Everest, made a bright decision to go analog, adding to the album’s intimacy. Still, it leaves one wishing Fire Songs had let one get to know the gorgeous, singing sisters better.
