• A New Story?

    Artist:
    Album:
    Lyndon Bolton Posted On August 2, 2016
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    “Two” is the debut album from duo Laurel Wright and Wes Lunsford, otherwise known as The Young Fables. The title gives a clue not just to the names on the cover but as the notes inside reveal, how they became a twosome while making the record.  On my first listening the record struck me as slightly repetitive; much of it around a similar and familiar theme, young love. Yet it was the voice and just curiosity to hear everything on the album more than once, “go on, give them a chance”, that allowed these two to grow on me. After several more plays over the next few days, the professionalism of the production, playing, and above all, Laurel’s voice, have convinced me this is more than a collection of samey pop songs.  The album does reward proper listening, there are catchy tunes but it also contains heart rending emotion, not just about each other but about going back through generations in this small town.  Inevitably comparisons arise; Ashley Monroe and Kacey Musgraves and in terms of duos, The Mastersons, all come to mind.

    In the end my verdict is that “Two” is a highly polished first album. The production is high quality with some great arrangements on the more upbeat songs starting with the record’s opener, “Better Hand”. The title track,”Two”, is definitely a single to give Laurel and Wes airplay at the more commercial end of country. However, “September” and “Worse” would ensure few remain seated at any live performance. Each song, particularly the former, gives room for Laurel’s voice to soar and this is a proper country voice.

    Slower numbers, “Paradise”, “Completely”, and “I Love Him Too” confirm love isn’t always a “Bed of Roses”. But it’s not all love; “The Road Home” is Laurel’s reminder of where she came from and of those who came before her. Here the lyrics are a great deal more thought provoking.  In this era of multi-tasking, this album gives a perfect opportunity to stop whatever else you are doing and just listen to the songs and truly appreciate the seamless flow of Laurel’s voice, Wes’s playing, and the band.   

    This is a crowded market but after giving this debut record the time it deserves, apart from feeling uplifted at discovering a fresh new duo with great promise, I feel The Young Fables could crack the big time. Hopefully, a blossoming relationship will boost the already evident creativity and bring about another album soon.

    Though not strictly part of reviewing the album, I did have a look through their videos on YouTube; Wes can sing too and both play which definitely whet the appetite for a live show. I hope I might have that pleasure before too long. 

     




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