Tiny Televisions
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
A Nashville duo composed of Vanessa Oliverez and Elizabeth Elkins, the pair return with 6 new tracks that are firmly rooted in the history of their new hometown, while also embracing their Atlanta roots on this varied Americana effort.
The title track starts the listen with firm electric guitar and thumping drums as soaring vocals guide the melodic rock setting, and “Ice Cream” follows with piano complementing the pensive display of country influenced song craft.
In the middle, “Getaway Car” injects some pop ideas into a very Nashville sounding album highlight that’s both stylish and playful and with a bit of funk, while “Hell’s Half Acre” takes a more dramatic turn that shifts into fuller and lush sounds that benefit from an organ. “Opryland” exits the listen on a calmer note, where expressive singing aligns with warm twang as Oliverez and Elkins put their dynamic chemistry on display.
A record about Nashville’s rich history, there’s actually a companion book titled Hidden History Of Music Row with the album, that has Granville Automatic working alongside Brian Allison to dig even deeper in Nashville’s past. Musically, icons like Suzanne Vega and Lucinda Williams linger amid Granville Automatic’s songwriting prowess, and I doubt few people will have a problem with that, nor should they.
Travels well with: Larkin And Poe- Self Made Man; The Devil Makes Three- Chains Are Broken