This Life
Self-Released, 2024
9/10
The Minneapolis outfit The Twins Of Franklin are spearheaded by Becky Shaheen and Laura Lou, and this sophomore album brings a dose of American girl rock to songs inspired by motherhood.
“To The Moon” starts the listen with plenty of energy, where Joe Shaheen’s spirited harmonica suits Tommy Barbarella’s animated B3 and soaring vocal harmonies from the ladies, and “Look At All This Life” follows with a softer mood, where soulful singing is met with warm mandolin and Brian Riedinger’s agile drumming.
At the halfway point, the fluid and breezy “Life By Design” welcomes Eric Sexe’s melodic strumming to complement Shaheen and Lou’s expressive pipes, while “Stay” emits string arrangements thanks to Chris Koza for the album’s most intimate moment.
“Stuck Inside” and “All Your Love” exit the listen, where the former is romantic and benefits from Daniel Koza’s euphonium, and the latter finishes with a big presence of rootsy flavor that you won’t soon forget.
Though they aren’t actual twins, the pair’s chemistry goes back to college dorm rooms that turned into them both being professional musicians and now mothers. Extending from the indie-pop of their debut, this follow up embraces folk, Americana and plenty of gritty rock that’s never short on power and sweetness.
Travels well with: Samuel Wilbur- The Age; Martin Zellar- Head West