Compromise isn’t necessarily a bad quality in roots music. Even for a Texan act. The O’s consist of Taylor Young and John Pedigo, two multi-instrumentalists with a predilection for country music and “Between The Two” suggests an unspoken fondness for The Beach Boys. A winning combination, I say!
“We’ll Go Walkin’” is a very welcoming album opener, dominated by a cartoonish, plodding banjo and a harmonica that seems to be trying to speak. Impressive also is the duo’s sharing of vocal duties. Harmonies almost always attract the attention of ears and this double act know it well.
There’s a tribal feel to “In Numbers We Survive”, while “Tryin’ to Have a Good Time” is dominated by some terrific slide guitar and a big chorus. “We Are Young”, by contrast, is a reflective, feel-good song that somehow fails to sound threadbare. Such variety is a recurrent quality in the album, ultimately telling it apart from the merely agreeable and, ideally, you’d play this album while sitting under an apple tree with a member of the opposite sex.
“Time for a Change” extinguishes any doubts that earlier infectiousness was fluked, again utilising the banjo and harmonica to maximum effect. Also commendable is their ability to compact songs into three-minute affairs without sounding rushed. There’s a little of Tom Petty (albeit less nasal) on “Pushin’ Along” before “Everything’s Alright” is the sound of Flatt & Scruggs on speed.
Unlike many young acts, The O’s have made an album that is entirely their own. Without borrowing so much as a song, they have shown themselves not only to be competent musicians but also convincing songwriters. “Between the Two” will strike a blow for modern country music. Note to Bon Jovi: this is how you do it.