MADISON VIOLET play Hugh’s Room on Friday (September 23). See listing. Rating: NNN
Too much honey in your voice can be a liability when you’re trying to convey sad, or at least bittersweet, themes. This is evident on Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac’s, aka Madison Violet’s, fourth album.
But some folks like sweetness. The Toronto roots duo’s harmonies and simple songs have earned them a CFMA and a Juno nomination for 2009’s No Fool For Trying. Les Cooper returns to production duties, steering the album dangerously close to adult contemporary folk-pop (and leaving us curious about what an all-out pop album from them would sound like).
The more traditional material near the end is stronger, notably Emily and bluegrass-infused loving-and-drinking song Cindy Cindy, where they let some roughness creep into their sound.
Top track: Cindy Cindy