The Light
Hearts – This Fine Line (Independent)
Before Connecticut siblings Brian Kiss and Suzanne
Vick joined forces in The Light Hearts, both were established performers in
their own right. Kiss is a soulful singer-songwriter with touring experience
under his belt with Hot Rod Circuit, and the classically trained Vick won
awards with her acclaimed debut solo album “The Brightness Of Orchids”. Their
Light Hearts project should augment both their reputations.
They begin with the title track; Kiss takes lead
vocal, and it’s an instant highlight. The positioning of Kiss’ rootsy acoustic
guitar and vocal alongside Vick’s haunting keyboard, blurs all sorts of genre
lines, and creates a unique perspective from the off. It’s followed by “Not the
One You Want” – again Vick’s melancholy keyboards add depth and weight to the
arrangement, and this time they divide the vocals, taking verses in turn.
Singer-songwriter Seth Adam joins them
on “Jane” to provide vocal support, but it’s the gentle, unhurried guitar
groove they generate that most impresses.
Recorded live in the studio over a weekend in March
2013, the duo wrote all the songs on “This Fine Line” (apart from a cover of
Bob Dylan’s “Boots of Spanish Leather”), played
nearly all the instruments and co-produced the collection with local producer Kyle Ryan. Their hands-on approach to all aspects
of their album is to be applauded, and simultaneously, their stripped back
approach to their music does much to enhance their songs. I hope it’s an aspect
of their sound that isn’t lost on future recordings.
Tony S.
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