After disappearing off the radar for more than a year,
the Houston Brothers buried their old act and emerged in a new guise --
the Houstons. The duo of drummer
Justin and guitarist
Matt Faircloth has now expanded to a quintet, although 11 musicians in total are listed on the band's debut album
Still. Even so, the siblings haven't entirely broken with their previous incarnation, for the set is steeped in a folky Americana, although the music is far more textured than it had been of yore.
Matt's expressive acoustic guitar is still the fulcrum of the songs, while
Justin's rhythms are now bolstered by bass, and washed in sublime atmospheres conjured up by the other instruments. Songs like "Magnolia" and "When the Morning Comes" are enriched with strings, "Running of the Bulls" features particularly gorgeous piano, new wave-y synth stirs through "Hardwoods," while the delicate "Frozen Woods" is gently warmed by strings, keyboards, and electric guitar. Although an overwhelmingly mood drenched set, the emphatic "Carry On," the driving pop-laced "Providence," and the vivacious "Thinking It Over" provide brighter splashes of light and color. The themes are equally evocative, most revolving around complicated relationships and internal confusion. The oftentimes wry lyrics are occasionally obscure but linger regardless, with lines like "my love is a hand grenade and you want to pull the pin" or "we were scared of missing out on something missing" sure to be turned over and over in one's head. The music is sublime, the songs shimmer, smolder, or sparkle in turn, while even at their bleakest, the intensity and honesty of the lyrics leave an indelible mark. A phenomenal new beginning.