Fine vocal harmonies reminiscent of The Wandering Hearts from Minneapolis-based female duo The Twins of Franklin.
The Twins of Franklin, hailing from Minneapolis, are not real-life twins, rather best friends Becky Shaheen (vocals/guitar/keys) & Laura Lou DuSchane (vocals/uke/guitar/keys). Classically trained and in their words “musical theatre nerds”, they bring this background, together with 15-year careers writing for television and advertising, to ‘This Life’, the second album release for their band project.
The 8-track album is an eclectic mix ranging from bluesy rock, through gentler folk/roots, to up-tempo country pop, but always tied together by the fine harmonies of the duo, creating a sound most reminiscent of The Wandering Hearts, or earlier recordings by Ward Thomas. Album opener ‘To the Moon’ is firmly in the first of these genres, an up-tempo rocker, with an anthemic chorus, featuring harmonica from Joe Shaheen, also credited on bass, with the line-up completed by drummer Brian Riedinger, with production by Kevin Bowe (Etta James, The Replacements).
‘Look at All This Life’ is uplifting and mid-tempo, with mandolin and keys, its lyrics reflecting the birth of Shaheen’s daughter, both her and DuSchane having recently become mothers “Then there’s this child we made/ I’m so glad to find your face in her face/ Look at what love creates.” Motherhood is also reflected in ‘Worry’, with a Latin vibe, the duo acknowledging as new mothers how it opened their eyes to how parents never stop worrying about their offspring “Part of the job is to worry/ Even when we’re old and grown and maybe even grey/ Now I understand it comes with a love so great/ So I will let you know when I am home safe.”
‘The Wait’ starts with ethereal vocals, before those powerful harmonies kick in, with hints of Fleetwood Mac, tackling the topic of miscarriage withDuSchane singing “How should I measure this/ Measure a loss/ Of one/ I hardly knew”. In contrast, ‘Stay’ is a soulful ballad, inspired by a close friend of the duo deciding to sell her home and travel the USA by RV, telling“You could wander forever /But I wish you would put down roots and stay/ Change your mind and stay/ Leave me broken-hearted and I wish you/ Would change your mind and stay/ Change your mind and stay.”
‘Life By Design’ is an up-tempo country rocker, with a big anthemic chorus, and post-chorus on the “don’t waste your days”theme “We’ve only/ Only got this one life/ Don’t you waste another moment/ Don’t you waste another moment”, while ‘Stuck Inside’ has an indie/folk feel, with an insistent beat driving the song, and a whistled motif.
Album closer ‘All Your Love’ is an up-tempo rocker, with harmonica from Shaheen, a tale of excess, with the memorable line “Cuz I’m the jealous type/ And I’ve just gotta warn you tonight/ I’m a whiskey fighter and a tequila crier” and a double time outro.
Great harmony vocals and fine songwriting combine to make an excellent album.
