Loves It
All We Are
Reviewed by: Jane Roser
I was pretty darn excited to review Loves It’s sophomore album, being a huge fan of singer/guitarist/fiddler Jenny Parrott’s former band Shotgun Party, and I am pleased to say that I’ll We Are will, in the immortal words of Phil Robertson, make you “happy, happy, happy”.
Founded in Austin, Texas in 2010, Loves It is comprised of songwriters Vaughn Walters and Jenny Parrott who switch between guitars, fiddle and banjo to create a hell-raising, foot-stomping kitchen party good time and then take it down a few notches with some glorious, melancholy ballads.
The first and last songs on this album, both sung a cappella, act almost as bookends to the stories in between. While “Katydid” is an adorable song about courtship and yes, insects, “Appalachian Ballad” is a heartbreaking story of a couple who spend their entire lives together, separated only, in the end, by death. When I first looked at the liner notes to see who wrote the latter, I expected it to be an old-time traditional song, but was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was written by Walters and Parrott.
“Wild” is the album’s first single and is a fun, care-free jaunt that really showcases Parrott’s unique style of singing. “Choose” is a beautiful, heartfelt song that I played on repeat because there was just something about it’s simplicity and sincerity that reminded me of Patsy Cline. “Scab” is a fiddle-driven tune filled with fiery passion that I absolutely loved and can’t wait to hear live (hint, hint).
Loves It managed to accomplish the one thing that rarely happens to me: keep a sung stuck in my head for days. The last time that happened it was “The Cup Song” from Pitch Perfect. Now it’s “Katydid”: “He said Katydid, she said Katydid not. It might sound like they’re quarrelin’, but I know they’re not. Six weeks til frost, the old timers say. I know they’re courtnin’ the Katydid way.” And by the way, that song was written by Walters’ grandad who used to sing it around the house all the time. Just when you had begun to think that they don’t write them like they used to, Loves It comes along and proves that they sure as heck do.
Rating: Bad-Ass
