I had heard good things about The Civil Wars, the Grammy-winning folk duo from Nashville, and was excited to review their self-titled second album. And I did enjoy it, but at the same time I was surprised by their sound, which leans closer to emo (if acoustic) rock than simple folk.
Album opener ‘The One That Got Away’ is a perfect example. This may sound unkind (depending on your tastes) but the track sounded to me like an acoustic version of an Evanescence song – a syncopated driving beat, a strong, female voice belting out sliding notes, and angry reflections on a bad love affair. While the sound was unexpected, the performances are good, especially Joy Williams’ clear vocal tone and the John Paul White’s rhythmic acoustic guitar
‘I Had Me A Girl’ reveals a more bluesy edge and lead vocals are assumed by White, although both singers harmonise on every track. However, this track exposes the problem of the rockier sound The Civil Wars are attempting here, which is that when rock music is played fairly straight but with folk instruments, you really start to long for some drums and bass. Coupled with White’s angsty and dramatic vocal performance, rather than feeling like you’re exploring interesting new territory, you get the impression that The Civil Wars would sound better if they just stuck to their established stylistic strengths.
‘Tell Mama’ and ‘D’Arline’ are the best tracks on the album because they do just that: the guitars are acoustic and minimal, the harmonies take centre stage, and Williams utilises the emotional crack in her voice to its full, wistful effect. ‘D’Arline’ sounds as though it was recorded in somebody’s bedroom – it’s slightly unpolished, there are some missed notes, uneven dynamics and the recording quality is low – but all of this simply exemplifies Williams and White’s wonderful synchronicity as singers, and their strengths as performers; based on that track alone I would love to see The Civil Wars live.
However, for most of the album they sound adrift between genres, half acoustic and half electric, with neither fully developed and each detracting from the other. It seems that the more elements The Civil Wars add the less the songs connect, but when they strip everything back, they sound sensational.
7/10
Reviewer: Frances Bulley