indy cd & vinyl

THE WRIGHTS—THE WRIGHTS

The Wrights is the second album by the Nashville-based, husband-wife duo of that name. Even with Alan Jackson as a champion, major label RCA wanted more of a contemporary hit sound (with guest writers) for the duo and, when they wouldn’t comply, they were subsequently dropped. This may have been the best thing that could have happened to the Wrights on the evidence of their new album.  Filled with strong, punchy originals that contain fantastic duet singing (think George and Tammy, or Gram and Emmylou) and strong pedal- and electric-guitar playing, this is a country album that will turn your head around from the first note onward. The melodies and harmonies are often bluegrass-derived, but the music is a neat split between traditional country and more rock-oriented, alt-country outings. Lyrically, the main topic is the country staple of marriage and its temptations. “Do You Still” asks “You said ‘I Do,’ but do you still?” and “You’re The Kind Of Trouble” (covered by Solomon Burke on his Nashville album) proclaims the “You’re the kind of trouble/I could get into”. “Planting Flowers” is a gently acoustic beauty, but the rest of the album roots-rocks hard and straight. Now if only Alan Jackson could get them on the radio where they belong