The Dutchess & the Duke: Sunset/Sunrise
Hardly Art
Sunset/Sunrise reaches deeper than the raw-nerve, indie-folk-strumming ‘08 debut She’s the Dutchess, He’s the Duke. This time, vocalists/guitarists Jesse Lortz and Kimberly Morrison follow a more expansive route with their post-traumatic ruminations, due in no small part to their pairing with producer Greg Ashley (Gris Gris). Ashley’s psychedelic, folk-rock leanings merge with D&D’s lo-fi approach to create a dark brand of accidental Americana. “Hands,” “Living This Life” and “The River” encapsulate a rich but distraught inward journey, though it still isn’t as catchy as the debut. But together, each song forms the backbone of a concept album where full-bodied melodies flourish with emotion. 3 out of 5 stars.