The Elephant In The Room
Self-Released, 2023
9/10
Listen to The Elephant In The Room
A Nashville based husband and wife duo who are well versed in Americana, folk, pop and bluegrass, Zach and Maggie make music that is as diverse as it is memorable, and these short stories shaped into songs make an immediate impression.
The title track opens the listen with a very warm, old time feel, where Maggie’s charming voice is met with thick brass and the sort of instrumentation that might soundtrack a trip to a speakeasy, and “Caesar Said To Brutus” follows with swift acoustic guitar amid an upbeat folk appeal, where Zach’s expressive voice is front and center and similarities to Paul Simon won’t go unnoticed.
Halfway through, the stylish demeanor and thumping drums of “Gentra Girls” recruits a punchy and pop influenced version of Americana, while “Painting Memories” finds an intimate place to reside that benefits much from Zach’s poetic pipes alongside some cozy twang.
Close to the end, “Happy Goat Lucky” emits timeless bluegrass nods thanks to the very quick, meticulous fiddle acrobatics, and “Settle Down” exits with a bare, pretty acoustic tune that welcomes stirring strings to the emotive and heartfelt demeanor.
Sometimes quirky, other times vulnerable, and always sincere and creative, no two songs here resemble each too closely, and it sure does make for an eclectic and universally enjoyable listen.
Travels well with: The Great Divide- Providence; The Lied To’s- The Worst Kind Of New