Ah Holly Fam'ly

You Should Know


Originally from Idaho, Portland transplants Ah Holly Fam'ly create a rustic brand of folk laced with infectious melodies and organic instrumentation. While the Sufjan-ish pastoral folk arrangements on their new album Reservoir are surely lovely, the band's true strength is in its dueling girl/guy harmonies. It's surprising that a band that creates such lushly sparse music is actually an eight-piece, but if you listen closely you'll notice all those tiny details. The album is full of subtle layers and textures that enhance Ah Holly Fam'ly's sound without becoming distracting. Married couple Becky Dawson and Jeremy Faulkner share the vocal duties. While Dawson's vocals are just plain pretty, Faulkner's is intriguingly brittle. It waivers and cracks and provides a wonderful contrast in comparison to Dawson's sultry lull. What makes Reservoir so good is its worn-in feel. It's like your favorite blanket on an overcast day or an old thrift-store photograph you've never seen but feels so familiar. -- Capt. Obvious

Listen:
MP3: Ah Holly Fam'ly - Young Veins
MP3: Ah Holly Fam'ly - All Unfolding

Tags: Ah Holly Fam'ly, Reservoir