Madison Violet are Canadian duo Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIssac who mix a classic 70s country sound of beautiful vocal harmonies and smooth uncluttered production with modern lyrical themes.  In a similar style to Eilen Jewell, rather than a cheap pastiche of the era they’ve taken a unique approach to the sound and created an album that sounds fresh and relevant, but familiar enough to catch the listener on the first listen.
This is much more laid back the Eilen’s approach to a classic sound, and ‘No Fool for Trying’ is an understated and restrained gem that will appeal to a wide audience with its acoustic sound and pure vocals from the duo.
The supporting instrumentation may be spare, but it’s totally effective as the two singers take centre stage – there’s no unnecessary clutter in the songs or instrumentation added where it’s not needed.  In fact this is a perfect lesson in how to avoid the excesses and production present in much of Nashville’s more pop focussed releases; the sound is rich and immediate, but still stripped back and delicate - it’s obviously been produced by a deft hand.
It’s an album that can wash over you as a collection of 11 songs, and while there are highlights, most obviously ‘Small of my Heart’, there’s nothing here that doesn’t flow with the feel of the album.
It may, unashamedly, have it’s roots in the recent past but the duo are so sincere and lacking in artifice that it comes  across as genuinely warm collection – it evokes the sound of early Lucinda Williams, but the songs are lyrically more contented and  uplifting.
This is an album that will instantly win a place in your heart with its vocals, melodies, production and genuine warmth.  Not to be missed.

Track listing
1 The Ransom
2 Lauralee
3 No Fool For Trying
4 Small Of My Heart
5 Baby In The Black & White
6 Hallways Of The Sage
7 Crying
8 The Woodshop
9 Darlin'
10 Best Part Of Your Love
11 Time And Tide

£12.99