Here’s Our Review:
Fortunate Ones once again turn to East Coast ‘go to guy’, Daniel Ledwell (2 time ECMA Producer Of The Year) to steer production duties on this new album. With a gust of drum, bass, keys and guitar “Hold Fast” comes on like a swollen river and runs throughout this new offering. But of course the everpresent strength and charm rests with Andrew and Catherine’s vocal harmony and likely aways will. Sophomore albums have proven most challenging for young artists, historically speaking,and attempts not to present a facsimile of ones debut,often top of mind. This album rises well above those trappings as it evolves and takes both artist and listener in new directions. Part of the reason being the contribution from co-writers. Alan Doyle (Great Big Sea) and Meg Warren (Repartee) help accentuate pop sensibilities for their part, “Somebody Like You” a perfect example of the kind of song that takes up space in your head, the kind you find yourself singing aloud while walking down the street. But it’s the numbers co-written with Tim Baker (Hey Rosetta!) that are most intriguing, “Runaway’ being one of the album’s most intriguing tracks and “If You Go” with its autumnal feel.
Still the heart and soul of the record lies with the duo’s partnership in song. “She” is drop-dead gorgeous, one of Catherine’s finest vocal performances woven midst a gentle, lilting rhythm and underlying melody, delicate strings…pleasantly intoxicating and with the noble conclusion, “it’s better to forgive”. “Before You” follows with a similar mood, reminiscent of Buckingham/Nicks pre-Fleetwood Mac.
“Ghost” is arguably the album’s crown jewel, perhaps because it forays into unchartered territory, contemplating a journey from original spark to the present moment, the end already left on the highway shoulder in the rear-view mirror; “You wanted someone to perform with, I just wanted to be admired” and “Some bonds are made to break, some ships to sail…oh well” give us a window into the writer’s soul.
All and all, there’s more to this collection of songs than the individual works. Andrew and Catherine’s pensive ponderings on future plans with a peek over the shoulder at past whimsey serve the tastiest tunes herein. I don’t know if it’s higher-consciousness at play or simply love but one’s partner ought to long for the other to know joy in their life, for that joy is theirs, too. Like that swollen river, that realization runs through this wonderful album.
