Customer Reviews

Subjects

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A young brother/sister team from Maryland are more talented than any ten people. It's not only their singing but their song writing that won me. Their harmonies and lyrics are simple yet true. When this duo sings their voices always complement each other as they take turns on leads.

The opening track, "Perfectly," has Maggie in the lead asking "Is this the good beautiful and true...."backed by Judd's guitar. She offers a poignant lament in "One Year Past 20" - "I'm already one year past 20 with two broken hearts/Maybe one you could restart."

Judd's voice comes to the fore in "Late Hour," which reflects the album's title, "Subjects" as it's about people: There are two kinds of people/They both spin a tale/Complex as a web/Or straight as a nail."

Both voices are strong, individual, yet always enhancing each other. Together, perfectly matched, the voices are powerful, incredibly harmonized.

It would be impossible to pick a favorite among these 12 songs. Adding to the sound is the terrific drumming of Joey Waronker and Justin Meldal-Jonson's fine bass.

Enjoy!

- Gail Cooke

What if James Mercer of The Shins decided to team up with Neko Case to record a melodic folk rock album?

If they did, it would probably sound a great deal like Subjects, the major label debut from tuneful siblings Judd and Maggie. Subjects is a mature and self-assured release by the twentysomethings, featuring upbeat acoustic numbers interspersed with earnest, lilting piano-based ballads.

Instrumentation throughout is spare and mostly unplugged, serving up Judd and Maggie's "chocolate & peanut butter" vocal harmonies on a silver platter. Their voices are reminiscent of a punchier, more world-weary version of the Carpenters.

Subjects kicks off with the single "Perfectly", a song on the fulfillment love can bring: "we both know you're the only one who can make me rest perfectly."

Other standout tracks include "One Year Past 20", with a gorgeous, pleading vocal from Maggie floating atop a bed of Judd's dramatic piano chords, and "Snow Song", a catchy pop confection sporting subtle electronic touches.

Tunes full of wry, clever lyrics ("I used to paint pictures, now I only paint walls") and heart-on-sleeve sincerity ("I'm already one year past twenty, with two broken hearts...maybe one you could restart") greatly outnumber heavy-handed tracks like "Sponge" ("my heart's a sponge, it's soaking up love").

Highly recommended listening for fans of Eastmountainsouth, Leona Naess, The Pierces, Eisley, and Hem.

I've been listening to Judd & Maggie for quite some time. I have to say there is something about them that puts them above all the rest. Could it be that the matching vocal chords of brother and sister have some musical combination that can't be beat? Could it be the amazing simple, and yet so complex lyrics and melodies that inspire such indescribable emotion? I'm sure it's all of them. One this is for sure, Subjects is one of the best to come out this year and everyone should keep an eye out for Judd & Maggie in the future.

Subjects has become a favorite album in my collection. The music is beautiful, and Judd and Maggie's voices blend amazingly. They sound better than ever.
I highly recommend this album.

This Cd is Awesome! I've heard Maggie and Judd @ my church for years- they live 15 minutes away from me!! I am just amazed at their talent. Their voices blend so well, and I really like their songs! God has truly blessed them!!!! Love ya guys!!!

I was very impressed when I heard this album! I have lately been frustrated with the decline of songwriting, and how little effort is put into creating melodies that go beyond the cookie-cutter riffs that are out there. However, the songwriting in "Subjects" is refreshingly unique and stimulating. The mood created is edgy and real, yet fun and optimistic. This, embellished by interesting arrangements and the superbly blended voices of the brother and sister, makes "Subjects" an enjoyable, worthwhile investment for anyone who wants to hear really good music that isn't depressing. I highly recommend it!

I love this album!!! Judd and Maggie have a unique sound and a flair for unique lyrics. I absolutely love this cd, unfortunately, Sony, in their infinite wisdom, decided it would be best to include on the cd a terribly invasive computer program that would automatically download when the cd is put into a computer. Adding insult to injury, I cannot get the cd to rip onto my own mp3 player, at all. The cd is flawless, but will not download without skipping (I have tried it on 2 different computers). The cd is useless to me now. Thanks Sony!!

You're better off buying the mp3 version of the songs and burning your own copy.

Review from Josh the Bartender at the 1614(R.I.P.) I used to bartend in Baltimore at the 1614 Lounge and they would play there regularly 3-4yrs ago. I think its awesome that they are being recognized for their work. I too was lucky enough to purchase the first CD which is complemented nicely by Subjects. My wife and I both love these songs. You don't hear too many 'good' vocal harmonies anymore so it's refreshing.

Cheers!
Josh

Recently introduced to Judd and Maggie's music by my brother, who played keyboards for them at a show in Baltimore. The album is terrific, but a band's worth is determined by experiencing their music in person. They are wonderful - check them out if you get the chance. Soothing but passionate, there's a lot of talent and depth here. Do yourself a favor and explore something off the beaten path...

This CD is beautifully done! I love the harmonies and Maggie, your voice is so lovely. Track 5 is my current favorite, but the entire CD is great for listening to on the road. Love it!