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Product Details
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Track Listings
| 1. Modern Man |
| 2. Harpeth River |
| 3. Forever Me |
| 4. Midnight |
| 5. Savin' You |
| 6. Brave One |
| 7. Devil In You |
| 8. Snow Canyons |
| 9. Tell Me Why |
| 10. Calling Out |
| 11. Give Me A Chance |
| 12. U-N-Me |
Editorial Reviews
2010 release from the Folk/Roots Pop duo, undoubtedly their most ambitious to date. The album finds The Watson Twins taking a soulful turn … la Carole King, but with a distinct Pop edge reminiscent of Feist. The result is a heartfelt nod to their roots, retaining the ethereal harmonies that have become their signature while incorporating a myriad of influences and inspirations. The twins, Chandra and Leigh Watson, along with a band of friends including members of Everest and My Morning Jacket, recorded the album at Los Angeles' famed Fairfax Recordings, capturing the essence of The Watson Twins' extraordinary talents on a record that is at once driving, poignant and beautiful.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Identical sisters Chandra and Leigh Watson have always been more noteworthy for the things they've done behind the spotlight rather in front of it. Members of the Silver Lake, CA scene that has spawned such acts as Rilo Kiley, Sea Wolf, and Eels, the Watson Twins' biggest impact in the music world was as the backing vocalists to Jenny Lewis' superb solo record, Rabbit Fur Coat. Their solo work, particularly 2008's Fire Songs, has been marked mainly by a disturbing lack of any definable identity. Enlisting fellow Silver Lake artists Russell Pollard and J. Soda of Everest to help produce their latest might not have been the most refreshing idea in retrospect, as Talking to You, Talking To Me is essentially what the Twins have been doing for over a decade, but for some at first indiscernible reasons it's a much more fully-realized, capable record than its predecessors.
The most readily apparent cause is the Twins' themselves; whereas earlier efforts found each sister sharing the mic on each song, Talking To You, Talking To Me mainly focuses one song on one sister at a time, with the other primarily handing backup duties for the duration of the track. It's a smart move that pays off by not confusing the listener and by allowing each tune to have its own focus, a linear narrative thread not broken up by call-and-response verses. More importantly, however, and something that becomes increasingly obvious as the record continues, is the improved instrumentation and backing music. Too often before in the Twins' discography the vocals were an album's highlights, adorned with only the barest piano and guitar or the occasional woodwind. Chandra and Leigh have smoky, sensual voices to be sure, voices that can more than easily hold and direct a song, but they have always worked best in a supportive framework, like on the multiple textures of Rabbit Fur Coat. The lesson has evidently been learned; the best part about the record is its sonic depth, from the soft, breezy torch ballad "Snow Canyons" to the rippling guitar and organ solos on "Midnight" to the faux trip-hop of the bubbling, syncopated "Harpeth River."
Unfortunately, there's only so many ways one can make a mid-tempo indie folk tune or `60s girl-group ballad sound, and Chandra and Leigh's insistence on maintaining practically the same tone and mood whether they're lamenting a lost lover or proclaiming their undying affection is the album's biggest downfall. To be brutally honest, they have always lacked the charisma (not to mention a particularly arresting voice) of a Jenny Lewis or a Zooey Deschanel, and Pollard and Soda are certainly not the muse that M. Ward or Blake Sennett have been. For all the surprises that a track like "Harpeth River" brings or for all the many ear-pleasing harmonies and foot-stomping melodies that vintage anthems like "Devil In You" and "Savin' You" deliver, there's boring, by-the-numbers alt-country like "Calling Out" or "Give Me A Chance." One can only listen to so many slow, jazz-inflected rhythms and passionless lyrics before getting frustrated with the overall sameness of too many of the performances here.
Then again, the Watson Twins will never have the vocal firepower of a Jenny Lewis or a Beth Hart, but they use what they were born with to often haunting, always charming effect, even when things may drag. Talking To You, Talking To Me is an entirely predictable indie folk record, one that has just as many flaws as it has ethereally precious moments, but it does show a progression for the Twins and an improving knowledge on how to translate their talents onto a whole LP.
The most readily apparent cause is the Twins' themselves; whereas earlier efforts found each sister sharing the mic on each song, Talking To You, Talking To Me mainly focuses one song on one sister at a time, with the other primarily handing backup duties for the duration of the track. It's a smart move that pays off by not confusing the listener and by allowing each tune to have its own focus, a linear narrative thread not broken up by call-and-response verses. More importantly, however, and something that becomes increasingly obvious as the record continues, is the improved instrumentation and backing music. Too often before in the Twins' discography the vocals were an album's highlights, adorned with only the barest piano and guitar or the occasional woodwind. Chandra and Leigh have smoky, sensual voices to be sure, voices that can more than easily hold and direct a song, but they have always worked best in a supportive framework, like on the multiple textures of Rabbit Fur Coat. The lesson has evidently been learned; the best part about the record is its sonic depth, from the soft, breezy torch ballad "Snow Canyons" to the rippling guitar and organ solos on "Midnight" to the faux trip-hop of the bubbling, syncopated "Harpeth River."
Unfortunately, there's only so many ways one can make a mid-tempo indie folk tune or `60s girl-group ballad sound, and Chandra and Leigh's insistence on maintaining practically the same tone and mood whether they're lamenting a lost lover or proclaiming their undying affection is the album's biggest downfall. To be brutally honest, they have always lacked the charisma (not to mention a particularly arresting voice) of a Jenny Lewis or a Zooey Deschanel, and Pollard and Soda are certainly not the muse that M. Ward or Blake Sennett have been. For all the surprises that a track like "Harpeth River" brings or for all the many ear-pleasing harmonies and foot-stomping melodies that vintage anthems like "Devil In You" and "Savin' You" deliver, there's boring, by-the-numbers alt-country like "Calling Out" or "Give Me A Chance." One can only listen to so many slow, jazz-inflected rhythms and passionless lyrics before getting frustrated with the overall sameness of too many of the performances here.
Then again, the Watson Twins will never have the vocal firepower of a Jenny Lewis or a Beth Hart, but they use what they were born with to often haunting, always charming effect, even when things may drag. Talking To You, Talking To Me is an entirely predictable indie folk record, one that has just as many flaws as it has ethereally precious moments, but it does show a progression for the Twins and an improving knowledge on how to translate their talents onto a whole LP.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By B. Tipling
Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase
Reminds me of Cowboy Junkies, but less depressing. Beautiful voices, and that U N Me song is haunting. It was free, but I liked it so much I got the entire album. I'm not sorry I did.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Watson Twins make an amazing artistic leap forward with this new album. The beautiful harmonies are still there, but the sound is less dreamy, and more beat-driven, with classic R&B, soul, and funk influences. It's like Neko Case and Amy Winehouse got together and had twins!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Did I listen to the same CD
I see all these 5 star ratings and wonder if these people listened to the same CD. The songs were badly written and the production values poor. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mark Hagner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Original and satisfying
Talking to You, Talking to Me is a spectacular album, rich and lovely, full of confidence and aggressive, bold strokes. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Gregory Kerwin
2.0 out of 5 stars
voices drowned out by "the band"
I loved their first two albums. Their voices are lovely and unique. In this album you can't hear them for the overpowering arrangements. Read more
Published 23 months ago by L. Brewer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Watson Twins hypnotize
I love 'Talking to You, Talking to Me'. My earlier experience with the Watson Twins was with their collaboration with Jenny Lewis. Read more
Published on October 12, 2010 by M. D. Thomatz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best 6 Foot Plus Female SIngers Ever!
Well, hope the title got your attention!haha I've seen them perform 3 times & their wonderful! Beautiful voices & Yes, they are 6 foot plus! Gorgeous too!
Published on July 22, 2010 by jon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Fabulous Record From the Kentucky Twins
Dig it. The Twins are off in a new direction, and its all good.
Published on April 11, 2010 by Alan Abrams
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just Fantastic
i love their music and always have. This album is almost as good as seeing them live... almost
Published on March 10, 2010 by Christopher Gerson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Can't stop listening!!!!
Beautiful songs, beautiful music and lyrics. It's their BEST CD yet. This CD is stuck in my Cd player.
Published on March 1, 2010 by Jon Freeman
3.0 out of 5 stars
can I get a little more clarity in the vocal mix?
Great tunes. Great singing. Why is it so hard to decipher the lyrics? The vocal mix is dreadful.
Published on February 15, 2010 by P. Strickland
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