Search - Williams Brothers :: Harmony Hotel

+1/2 -- Competent A/C folk-rock-pop

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 05/24/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This 1993 release finds David and Andrew Williams continuing the folk-rock direction they'd developed on their two previous albums. With their teen-idol years nearly two decades behind them, and with their friend Marvin Etzioni helping craft the songs and associate producing the album, the Williams created a lush, emotionally rich set of songs. The tone is often towards the acoustic, with strings (cello, violin, viola), harmonica, accordion, and 12-string filling out the sound.Like most brother acts, there's a familial chemistry between the Williams' voices. But unlike the close harmonies of acts like The Everly Brothers, the Williams use more traditional pop harmonies. It's not as daring (few can be the Delmores or Stanleys, after all) but it still has that certain ephemeral quality that separates sibling harmonies from those of unrelated duets.Beyond their adult contemporary sounds, the brothers also o venture towards country-blues on the title track (with Greg Leisz providing the lap steel), folk-blues on "Wonderful Blues," and the mandolin-driven Spanish-tinged pop of "Long Ago Last Night." Overall the album is more polished and sophisticated than their previous work, but it's not always better, often sounding more calculated than inspired. There are certainly moving moments, and the vocals and guitar playing are top-notch, but the songs themselves don't seem to have the spark of their previous work (especially the self-titled "The Williams Brothers")."