On My Way Home
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
Eb and Hal have musical roots together going back to the ‘70s, when they were in high school and playing in bands. They regrouped 45 years later, after living full lives with families and careers, and this sophomore album found itself being penned during the pandemic, and encompasses the wide scope of feelings the planet sorted through during that time.
The title track starts the listen with warm acoustic guitar, cozy singing and fluid drumming in the breezy Americana, and “Can’t Run Away from Love” follows with much emotion in the poetic, folk-influenced climate.
In the middle, “Lift Up The Veil” brings much intimacy with its soft singing, dreamy guitar and heavy attention to mood, while “Crazy’ is more rugged and recruits a charming, rootsy appeal with the well timed strings.
Closer to the end, “I Do” offers a playful strummer that’s mature, soaring and lyrically substantial (as is the entire effort), and “Hug The Hurt Away” exits with an upbeat and charming display of agile guitars and flowing keys.
The pair have won Album Of The Year in their home state of New Mexico, and have received over a dozen other nominations with their music since reforming 4 years ago. It’s not hard to see why; Eb and Hal have a knack for timeless, memorable, universally relatable songwriting that’s well thought out and very much appreciated.
Travels well with: The Brother Brothers- Cover To Cover; Lowland Hum- At Home