The Old Believers

Eight Golden Greats

(Fine Romantic Recordings, Etc.)

Record Review by Adam McKibbin

In a year when My Morning Jacket decided to stop sounding like people expected My Morning Jacket to sound, a number of bands have rushed to fill the void – not so much by copying the band’s blueprint exactly, but by channeling the same vibe and scratching the same general itch for the listener.  Perhaps the best heirs to the throne – if the throne is to be vacated – are the young lads of Fleet Foxes, who made their much- and rightly-ballyhooed full-length debut on Sub Pop earlier in the year.   The Old Believers seem to be kindred spirits to the Foxes, and further proof that the Pacific Northwest is the hub of indie-country.

Looking like fresh-faced high schoolers, Alaska natives (maybe Gov. Palin scared them down to the “south”) Keeley Boyle and Nelson Kempf trade lead vocal duties on a warm and relaxing album.  True to its title, there are eight songs, and “Golden Greats” isn’t so much a sign of hubris as a recognition that they are standing on the shoulders of giants.  Kempf has the more compelling voice, even if the parallels with Robin Pecknold are sometimes “Jack Nicholson/Christian Slater” strong.

The Old Believers crank up the ethereal on “That’s All,” an affecting duet that marks Boyle’s best performance on the record; “We’re just getting older, that’s all,” they each sing.  The heavenly choir of voices behind them may mark the one spot of overkill on the album.  Otherwise, they do a fine job of balancing their old-timey influences with a few modern flourishes.  Wistful and warm, Eight Golden Greats points to a promising future for the young duo.