Singer/songwriters Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale have two of the longest and most celebrated careers in Americana, with the former having recently contributed songs for the TV series Nashville and the latter having composed tunes that have been recorded by everyone from Elvis Costello to Blake Shelton. While they're longtime friends and collaborators, Buddy and Jim marks their first full album together. It's a stunner; the duo's harmonies mix like bourbon and honey, with their sonic palette ranging from zydeco to rockabilly, bluegrass to honky tonk. "Vampire Girl" is an uppity rumba featuring Miller's unmistakable guitar leads, while "That's Not Even Why I Love You" is a smoldering waltz with a wistful slide guitar. The Americana pyrotechnics notwithstanding, "It Hurts Me" may be the highlight here; it's a front-porch ballad about expiring love that hits you square in the gut.

iTunes

Spotify

Share