Barton Hollow

iTunes Review

There are moments on the Civil Wars’ Barton Hollow that recall the mournful balladry of traditional Appalachian folk, as well as more contemporary explorations of heartache by the likes of Buddy and Julie Miller. Most of all, the duo turns its first full-length release into a sustained ode to the pleasures and torments of love. Singer/songwriters Joy Williams and John Paul White offer finely wrought lyrics in settings that suggest both 19th-century parlor music and rougher, rootsier strains. “Poison & Wine” serves as the keynote for this set, applying the duo’s exquisite vocal harmonies to an aria of romantic martyrdom. Tracks like “To Whom It May Concern,” “Girl With the Red Balloon” and “Birds of a Feather” likewise caress emotional scars with a rueful tenderness. The album’s sonic extremes range from the wailing, blues-drenched tones of the title track to the genteel instrumental ambiance of “The Violet Hour.” Throughout, producer Charlie Peacock sparingly surrounds Williams and White with crystalline acoustic guitars, moody pianos, and elegant strings.