Reviewed by Paul S Ganney

starting like it fell off a CSNY album, this CD isn't your standard "married couple sing songs". Monique's voice is too Bjork-like for that and the chimes in the background (especially on "My God, My God Part 1") are very Sigur Ros. By contrast, Thomas' voice is more mainstream and is the stronger of the two. With slide guitar behind it, he's in old school country and western territory (check "Rice And Beans (But No Beans)" for a good example). The material is primarily hymnody but not as straight as that makes it sound, being occasionally more as Chris Martin of Coldplay might play it rather than your local organist. It's all very gentle and intimate and washes over you as a nice sunny day does, without anything particularly leaping out and grabbing you by the ears. Their website says they mainly play their living room, which makes sense of the material, really. It's OK, but not really meriting all the attention given the duo due to their Sufjan Stevens connections. Best track: "God Be With You Til We Meet Again".

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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