I'm not sure gorgeous is a street-savvy word to use in an album review, but I challenge you to listen to Wreck and Ruin and find a better word to describe the harmonies between husband and wife Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson.
Kasey has country music in her blood as the daughter of Australian country legend Bill Chambers. These days Bill takes second place to Kasey as a frontline act in Australia and the States. After a stint in her dad's band, Kasey launched her solo career in 2001 and it wasn't long before her music crossed over from country to pop mainstream on the back of the single Not Pretty Enough. Her songwriting strengthened rapidly and she has a roomful of Aria Awards and multi-platinum sales.
After her marriage to Shane in 2005, they have developed a musical partnership that has really come of age in Wreck and Ruin. The songs and arrangements are mature and well crafted, the harmonies and vocal interplay to-die-for. There's an honesty that overrides every aspect. Add to that a level of musicianship with their band that equals their own writing and performance. Songs like Til Death Do Us Part, Adam and Eve, The Quiet Life and Your Sweet Love are obviously heartfelt. I suggest you don't over-react to the "country" genre their music is tagged with. This is music of the highest calibre, so have a listen. You won't be disappointed. And if you think gorgeous isn't the best descriptor of their harmonies, you can give me a yodel and we'll agree to differ.
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson
Wreck and Ruin
