Rattlin' Bones

iTunes Review

This married couple may not be the new George Jones –Tammy Wynette tandem (they seem to be getting along too well, for starters) but the duo make a convincing case for upholding country music’s traditional values, as their honeyed old-world harmonies and tales of love and life come across as completely natural, and informed but not corrupted by modern life. Small ensemble playing and simple, unencumbered production values contribute to the intimate settings and nicely present these modest songs with eager hooks. There’s a simple symmetry to the tunes, an emotional balance and maturity that feels like the result of the couple’s own stable marriage. The longing at the heart of “Once in Awhile” is manageable. The compliments in the face of potential rejection for “Sweetest Waste of Time” are genuine and heartfelt. There’s an overall sense of empathy and forgiveness throughout these songs that emphasize a deeply spiritual view (further evidenced with the afterlife glimpse of “No One Hurts Up Here”). Not every relationship needs drama for its firepower. Sometimes good intentions are enough.