Lily and Madeleine
Fumes
Reviewed by: Jane Roser
Teen siblings Lily & Madeleine have had some growing pains since the release of their self-titled debut album last year, and that just adds to the charm and beauty of their sophomore record, Fumes, arriving today on Asthmatic Kitty Records. Produced by Paul Mahern, the 10 track album was recorded in Bloomington, Indiana and written entirely by the sisters and their longtime collaborator Kenny Childers (Gentleman Caller).
The album’s first single, “The Wolf Is Free”, is a dreamy, ethereal song of (what I perceived to be) lost innocence delivered like a creepy fairytale: “The wolf is free, I want to chase him and drive him to the sea.” This tune premiered on NPR Music while their next single “Rabbit” was recently featured in Billboard Magazine‘s “Tomorrow’s Hits” round-up. “Rabbit” starts off with strings, then the electric guitar and percussion kicks in. The song is simple and melancholy, weaving the sisters lovely harmonies together: “When you write your history, leave mine a mystery, this slope is slippery oh my God. Rabbit run for it, as if your life depends on it, take all your promises ’cause you’re all talk.”
Fumes is unpretentious and pure, with many songs touching on the transition from childhood to the uncertainty and fears of facing adulthood. Lily & Madeleine’s goal is to release an album each year for three years and Fumes is being released exactly 366 days after their debut album. Considering the coming of age theme throughout this album, I’m interested to hear how their next record will mature, since as Lewis Carroll once said, “I can’t go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.”
Lily & Madeleine have kicked off their fall tour and will be performing at World Cafe Live November 7th and The Hamilton in DC on November 8th.
Rating: Bad-Ass
