With Nashville’s the Civil Wars you get two singers for the price of one. They're a country duo who sing about relationship pain in the grand tradition of George Jones & Tammy Wynette, Tom Petty & Stevie Nicks, etc. The fun thing about guy/girl duos is you’re always left wondering: are they a real couple? I don’t want to know the answer. At times the Wars beef things up with a heavy sound, sometimes blues, sometimes country, always the drama. I prefer the acoustic numbers where the pain is allowed to seep out and those sad harmonies shine like the sun after a rainstorm. I guess you could call this album a break up record as these two battered souls try to come to terms with reality and move on.
Two ships passing in the middle of the night songs can be thrilling, but torch songs and end of the affair songs just hurt. My interest began to wane toward the end of the album and I found the out of place Smashing Pumpkins cover to be over the top- but perhaps that’s the point. The Civil Wars reminds me of the Once soundtrack, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Williams & White also eventually make their way to Broadway. If you and your significant other are looking for some additional drama to bring with you on your next road trip then by all means give The Civil Wars a try. (Warning: listening to The Civil Wars alone is not recommended but, really, who’s going to stop you?) Grade: B
Listen to songs from the album on Spotify...
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