The HawtThorns are an Americana band whose songwriting, versatile guitar work, and lush vocal harmonies evoke the California coastline as much as the Bible Belt countryside and are rooted in the collaborative chemistry of husband-and-wife duo KP and Johnny Hawthorn. They release their third album `Zero Gravity` this month and have enlisted the talents of Jano Rix (Wood Brothers) on keys, Nick Buda (Kenny Chesney) on drums, Ted Pecchio on stand-up bass and Chris Condon supplying additional guitar to bring their vision to life.
The album opens with `Nothing But A Shadow` with a delightful rolling drum beat and haunting guitar riffs.
KP HawtThorn said the track “came from living and creating in East Nashville, driving up the main drag. There is an old graveyard that has a crowded bus stop each morning. It made us think of all the people and families buried there or getting on the bus to their day jobs or school. The South is old compared to our California home, and there is a sense of haunted romance in every old building, field, or cemetery. We imagined a woman who, in crossing to the other side, struggled with the reality of her fate.” There`s a much more searching feel to title track `Zero Gravity` which seems to be about losing a partner or lover and how they return in unlikely places such as through the radio and in your dreams. There`s a heartbreaking ache in the vocal delivery and the space like associations may well be a metaphor for where this person has possibly departed to.
`Hands On A Clock` has a straight forward Americana vibe about it with vocals that at times are almost understated and simple but are so, so effective. There was an almost sense of irony on `Trouble` which to me had a kind of at times, West Coast psychedelic pop texture about it with keys that I really loved and a brief but captivating guitar solo.
`Fakin` It` had a wonderfully introspective, reflective feel about catching up with a past acquaintance or lover and feigning interest in how their life has transpired. A pop tinged country offering. There was a real sense of longing for past times and possibly letting go on `Flying` an uncomplicated but compelling contemplative almost conversational musing.
`Don`t Plan To Lose` is a fast paced country tinged outing that hints at a fight ahead for maybe love or life in general and I certainly wouldn`t be challenging the determination shared here. We enjoy an unfussy nigh on soft rock / country love song with `Long Game` which allows KP to really flex her varied and rich vocal abilities.
`Don`t Wait By the Phone` has Johnny heading up the vocal duties with an “I`m outta here, so don`t even bother trying to change things” scenario about it. I thought the honky tonk piano keys and understated guitar chords were a real joy to behold. There`s an overwhelming meditative, thoughtful and dreamy beauty about `Save This One` with vocals from KP that are as sweet as honey.
The album closes out with `When Will I Be Loved` which was a brave move as both the Everly Brothers 1960 hit and Linda Ronstadt`s versions are classics. But hats off, this version is a little different and they`ve made it their own with the addition of songwriter Alice Wallace`s harmonies.
`Zero Gravity` certainly had me in a state of weightlessness and was for me forty five minutes of aural pleasure with an understated sense of charm and beauty. KP has an overwhelmingly appealing vocal range and Johnny has that deft touch to really bring out the best of it along with an array of gifted musicians.
As much as The HawtThorns have become my own almost secret pleasure, I really hope that `Zero Gravity` brings the success that this duo richly deserve.
Rating 9/10
