The Accidentals
Album: Bittersweet
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 15
Website: http://www.moreaccidentals.com

This Michigan duo comprises undergraduates Katie Larson and Savannah Buist, whose stock-in-trade is a quirky, vital and accomplished brand of indie-folk that owes much to Regina Spektor, Roches, early Indigo Girls, Laura Veirs, Andrew Bird, and a couple of other artists I can't quite place (which is probably why I've taken so long to get round to this review!). But such manner of specific reference points, tho' useful, shouldn't matter unduly when the music on offer is so captivating and thoughtful while also surprisingly easily absorbed. The girls' charismatic self-penned songs straddle the divide between alt/nu-folk and Americana, yet sound like neither sub-genre really.

I'm not sure how the Accidentals' kickstarter-funded Bittersweet compares with their 2012 debut album Tangled Red And Blue, but on its own terms it's a very assured and distinctive collection of songs that take the word bittersweet literally in exploring the trials and tribulations of relationships with a notable confidence of expression. The writing's not quite equal-handed (nine songs are by Savannah, five by Katie and one's a joint composition), but there's both variety and consistency in the whole collection. Reasonably enough, each of the girls takes the lead on her own songs; each of them possessing a characteristically sweet-toned, charming turn of voice and appealing tone that nevertheless has sufficient presence and edge to avoid cloying. The musical interest is generated in the appealing melodies and often quite imaginative settings, which pit Katie's guitars, cello, ukulele, glockenspiel, piano, bass and accordion and Savannah's violin, viola, guitar, mandolin, ukulele and musical saw, against the colours provided by a small number of musician friends (on organ, banjo, toy piano, vibraphone bass and drums) on all but two of the tracks. The settings suit the songs and their special, perhaps slightly elusive lyric ambience, with a fairly childlike perspective it must be said, but one of considerable charm (if at times in a woozy, slightly drugged sense that doesn't always quite refine itself into a clear vision of the situation).

Highlights of the disc for me are the poignant, languidly aromatic Lemons In Chamomile, the bleak and delicately vulnerable City Of Cardboard, the genial lullaby Golden Lantern, the decidedly oddball Grisly Bear, the doomy Ghost Of A Lie, the ambient-layered Mangrove, the autumnal closer Blessed and the driving, catchy, timeless radio-friendly pop of Brake. But after just a couple of plays of this generously-proportioned set I'm rather getting to love every track. Thus far, Bittersweet has proven somewhat addictive… so methinks I need to hear that aforementioned Accidentals debut rather soon now!

David Kidman