The Watson Twins

Fire Songs

[2.5/5]

Fire Songs makes a good case that, just as you can take the girls out of Kentucky, you can blanche almost all traces of Kentucky out of the girls. While the Watson Twins-identical sisters Chandra and Leigh-were raised in Louisville on old-time gospel and country, they bolted the Bluegrass State long ago. For the past decade, they’ve hung out in the same Los Angeles bars as indie-poppers Rilo Kiley. Perhaps predictably, Fire Songs finds the Watsons sounding lost between worlds: While songs are occasionally illuminated by star-dusted pedal steel, campfire-quiet accordion and harvest-moon harmonica, it’s all too understated for the alt-country crowd. As a pop record, Fire Songs plays out like Lilith Fair folk for coffee houses, its strangely listless tracks aimed at those who can’t wait for the return of Dido. When the twins harmonize, the results are sweeter than sugar-dipped honeysuckle. What they really need, though, is some fire in their bellies. (VANGUARD) Mike Usinger