Billy Jack

iTunes Review

Named after a 1971 action movie wherein a vigilante somehow teaches small-town yokels about peace, love, and understanding by beating them up, HoneyHoney’s sophomore album is similarly laden with contradictions. “Angel of Death” sets the tone with gritty front-porch Americana rubbing against the silky tones of lush string arrangements, as Suzanne Santo inflects a little like a young Karen Dalton. Of course her low-register close harmonies with Ben Jaffe are sure to garner comparisons to Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, but the tunes here are more upbeat. “Ohio” unknowingly borrows from Big Eagle’s Robyn Miller, with a catchy indie rock–based melody bolstered to a rootsy ditty. A steady brushed snare-drum shuffle keeps things sounding locomotive before the tune blossoms into an anthemic gospel rave-up in the chorus. “Don’t Know How” works in last-call desperation with some of the most lovelorn lyrics here. Check out the grappling vocal harmonies on “I Don’t Mind,” where Santo and Jaffe braid their inflections so closely that they get a magical third overtone popping out.