When a band takes form in any Southern States, it is almost assumed that the flow of country will whisk their sound away. Sadly, in today’s music scene the result of that effect comes more out of what saturates the market and less on real life experiences.
For Austin-founded duo Loves It, just as their sound conveys, they were born on the pavement of America. Sure, there is a shroud of Country casting a shadow over All We Are, but listen here, these two have something most don’t ever care to learn.
Opening to a ditty I can close my eyes and imagine streaming off a back porch, Vaughn Walters and Jenny Parrott craft a trusty-old-pickup-that-has-seen-more-miles-and-days-than-most-drivers-on-the road record of rolling Americana that sucks you in like old whiskey to wood in an old saloon.
Whether it is the soothing crooning of Parrott’s voice, which permeates your soul like the great southern female vocals before her, or the almost obligated swaying slide guitar, All We Are is the epitome of all things right with an Americana album released today. On a well-balanced trade off the vocals are traded between the two and when Walters’ steps up, you’d better be on your feet because your boots will be stompin’.
Loves It’s tendencies for banjo and acoustic guitar mixing with a smoky stage in the hills of America pace spreads their wings at a fascinating crossroads of vintage and modern folk. With each pluck of the strings and harmonious vocals these two know what they’re doing with awe-striking quality. But just when you think All We Are appears to drift into the low-tempo (“Flag” and “Peace”) and you’ve figured it out, it buys another round and fills the dance floor once more (“Anne-Yr-Sm” and “(Would You Like To Be) My First Divorce”).
There is no denying that Loves It is a Southern sound. Hell, look at the two of them and tell me you don’t immediately see the same. But if your experience with them stops there, then please pick up the current Top 40 Country album and watch it be replaced next month by whatever flavor-of-the-week sound is being spewed out of your stereo. Vaughn Walters and Jenny Parrott have staying power and the hills and forests of the South in their blood. Not only is All We Are worth every penny, it should be regarded as a beautiful composition that sets its own course in a river of otherwise repetition.
