Introspective reflections on home and relationships with an Appalachian feel.
Husband and wife team Watchhouse have been making music together since 2009, starting out in coffee houses in their native North Carolina, a state synonymous with folk, roots and country music over many years. Known until 2021 as Mandolin Orange, Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz had released two albums before being signed to the prestigious Yep Roc Records in 2013 alongside fellow ‘tar heels’ like Tift Merritt and Chatham County Line.
‘Rituals’ is the couple’s ninth release and their first collection of new original songs since 2021 when their seventh album was self-titled ‘Watchhouse’ presumably in order to establish the new name. A live recording from Austin City Limits followed that in 2024 and Marlin has also put out several instrumental albums over recent years. Co-produced with Ryan Gustafson of The Dead Tongues, the eleven tracks on ‘Rituals’ were all written by Marlin and are delivered with the finely-honed harmonies that he and Frantz seem to effortlessly produce. A hectic touring schedule over many years across North America and Europe has no doubt helped them to perfect their vocal partnership, which has taken in iconic venues like Red Rocks in Colorado and the Ryman Auditorium.
The press have taken note, Rolling Stone referring to their “pristine acoustic picking” and “hazy, dream-like psychedelia.” At all times Marlin’s guitar or mandolin gels with Frantz’s acoustic guitar just as effectively as their voices combine and you detect that they could perform these songs either as a duo or with the full band heard on the record. This must give them the freedom to choose when and how they tour, a big plus now that they’ve started a family of their own.
Parenthood is not an obvious influence in the lyrics, which frequently focus down on an unspecified relationship, as ‘In The Sun’ reflects:
“Oh I’m dreaming of a life with you in the sun
and I hope our time together has only just begun”.
The lead single ‘All Around You’ looks back at the wearying years on the road and the uneasy sense of alienation that a return to home life may bring:
“Oh the world will shape you till you’re nothing but a tool
‘Til the nest is just a wagon and the hawk is just a mule”.
Title track ‘Rituals’ explores Marlin’s relationship with the local community, seeing himself both a part of it and yet separated from it – ‘it’s why I sing lonesome songs’. Emily Frantz takes the lead vocal on ‘Firelight’, another song about home life:
“I like the sight of you by my side
There at the end of a long day
Talking in the firelight”.
If this gives the impression of cosy domesticity, that may be misleading, for these songs challenge and examine daily life. With its 6/8 time signature ‘False Harbors’ blends Chris Stapleton’s ‘Tennessee Whiskey’ with the gloomy lyricism of Tennessee Williams:
“The drumming of the wind, the crashing of the sea
Ill currents churn”.
Played by a fine group of musicians, a few more changes of tempo may have been of benefit as the album feels a little one-paced at times. Perhaps missing a stand out track or two to win Watchhouse an even wider following, ‘Rituals’ is nevertheless a well-crafted collection of songs from this estimable couple.
