- Release Info -------------------------------------------------------------- -
Artist: The Watson Twins
Album: Talking To You Talking To Me
Label: Vanguard Records/EMI
Playtime: 39:50 min
Genre: Indie
URL:
Rip date: 2010-01-28
Street date: 2010-02-09
Size: 55.82 MB
Type: Normal
Quality: 184 kbps / 4410kHz / Joint Stereo
- Release Notes ------------------------------------------------------------- -
Following on the critical success of Rabbit Fur Coat, their 2006
collaboration with Jenny Lewis, Southern Manners (their 2006 self-released
EP) and Fire Songs, their 2008 Vanguard Records full-length debut, The Watson
Twins return with Talking To You, Talking To Me, their most groove-heavy and
ambitious album to date. The twelve songs on Talking To You, Talking To Me,
produced by Russell Pollard and J. Soda of Everest, display a new sonic
direction previously only hinted at in past efforts. Yes, the folk, country
and Americana roots of Leigh and Chandra Watson remain, but the duo also
explores and reveals their long-held love of R&B, Bossa Nova, indie pop and
most prominently, classic soul. ";We wanted your body to move with every
song," says Leigh.
Where the gorgeous Fire Songs was slower and more meditative, Talking To You,
Talking To Me showcases the twins' admiration of classic soul vocalists,
torch singers and chanteuses such as Etta James and Aretha Franklin. "I think
elements of that existed on Fire Songs, but they were buried and just hinted
at that," says Chandra. "When you're insecure about something, you don't
necessarily have the confidence to invoke those styles."
Those insecurities can be laid to rest with Talking To You, Talking To Me.
The soulfulness of "Midnight" sounds like a heartbroken lover crying the
blues at a late night bar. "Harpeth River" updates the vibe of classic
Portishead. The Hammond B3 and defiant vocals of "Devil in You" could be a
lost B-side to Dusty in Memphis, while "Savin' You" and "Snow Canyons"
hearken back to the pair's more traditional Americana-based tracks.
In June 2009, having already written the lyrics for the album separately, the
twins, Pollard and Soda decamped to a remote cabin in the High Sierras near
Yosemite National Park with no phones, television or music. In four days,
armed with only guitars, a drum kit, and computer to record the results, the
foursome finished the sketches for Talking To You, Talking To Me. (The album
would later be recorded at Fairfax Recordings on the same mixing console as
Pink Floyd's The Wall. It features prominent contributions by members of
Everest and My Morning Jacket's Bo Koster.)
A retreat in the woods wasn't the only switch the duo made for this album.
"In the past, we tended to sing a lot together doing these intricate
harmonies," says Chandra. "On this one, the two of us sang back-up for
whichever one of us was lead singer. We basically sang back-up for
ourselves." Adds Leigh: "I feel we've honed how to work together and I think
our singing style on this album strengthened the idea of the two of us being
one voice. What people expect from us is very different from what this record
is."
On their debut album, Leigh and Chandra Watson established themselves as
leaders of a movement that embraced traditional American sounds while still
breaking new ground. With Talking To You, Talking To Me, the next chapter of
a bourgeoning career is ready to be heard.
- Track List ---------------------------------------------------------------- -
01. Modern Man ( 3:35)
02. Harpeth River ( 2:55)
03. Forever Me ( 4:46)
04. Midnight ( 5:36)
05. Savin' You ( 3:00)
06. Brave One ( 3:02)
07. Devil In You ( 3:15)
08. Snow Canyons ( 2:46)
09. Tell Me Why ( 3:05)
10. Calling Out ( 2:46)
11. Give Me A Chance ( 2:43)
12. U-N-Me ( 2:21)
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