Blood Harmony. Larkin Poe

Who knows? It may well be that the two sisters Lovell making up Larkin Poe cry themselves to sleep every night frightened by shadows in front of their windows. On record though they defy the devil himself. This is some tough music being played, reminding me regularly of The White Stripes at its best in the 00s.

Larkin Poe makes blues for the 2020s alright. Where The Black Keys have shaken off its wildest feathers, in comes Larkin Poe. Next to Rebecca and Megan Lovell on the guitars and lap steel there's Tarka Layman on bass and Kevin McGowan on drums. Together they play music on the fringes of country and blues. There's always the lap steel in overdrive playing most of the solo's giving every song a tremendous boost. Whether a song has a more blues or a more country (rocking) starting point, the lap steel always provides it with the proverbial kick up the you know where. It is the band's signature sound.

Musically, Larkin Poe can be placed anywhere between the two already mentioned bands but also someone like Stevie Ray Vaughan isn't far off. The quality of songwriting, leaving playing aside, is easily won by Larkin Poe. The songs are so much more to the point and melodically far stronger. The songs are not out to impress at the prowess level primarily. Along the side of a strong song that happens any way, as a bonus. Something extra to enjoy.

What strikes me, is that the album first got to me because of the effect the tough sound had on me. A very primary response to the hard driving music. After a few spins the album began to grow as well. There's far more than just power involved. It is Megan's playing the slide parts that draws the first attention and then enters Rebecca's guitar parts. She has found many interesting licks underneath all that power. It gives all the songs so much more depth. And I haven't even mentioned the gospel-soul blues 'Might As Well Be Me' here, followed by a The Stones, Faces, Black Crowes trailblaser like 'Summertime Sunset'. Sparks fly here, folks.

The solid background provides the album with the dynamics and volume it needs in the right places. The drummer, either McGowan or Caleb Crosby, holds back nicely at times, like in the title song. Again, it adds to the diversity in sound, making Blood Harmony not only a more diverse album but also stronger album.

The Lovell sisters, still only in their early 30s, are active since 2005 in music, to start Larkin Poe in 2010. This led to a stream of EPs and albums since. For me Blood Harmony is the true introduction. I never got around to listening before. The introduction is an extremely pleasant one. With Blood Harmony I have an oh so nice new bluesrock album in my collection. This is the real thing alright, blues and melodies with some great playing. 'Kick The Blues' the sisters sing. The title is well chosen.

Wout de Natris