The Secret Sisters

Revivalism is a tricky business. If you're re-creating a style from another era—as opposed to merely putting a modern spin on it—you've got to walk a fine line between paying homage to the past and bringing your own personality into play.

Not many can manage it, but on their self-titled debut album, The Secret Sisters seem to have successfully brought classic country sounds into the present with a feeling of timelessness rather than dusty archive-spelunking. While they're capable of ethereal, heart-tugging turns like the aforementioned tune and Hank Williams' spiritual 'House of Gold,' these gals have got plenty of guts, too. Their more earthbound side comes out on the honky tonk tunes that dominate the album, like the old George Jones hit 'Why Baby Why,' Buck Owns' classic 'My Heart Skips a Beat,' and a more secular Hank hit, 'Why Don't You Love Me.'

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All Music