If you haven't heard any of the music from this hauntingly-beautiful duo, then you need to drive yourself to HMV, or click yourself onto the iTunes music store and check them out. The Civil Wars have only been known by that name for a year and a half. In fact, as I just read on their website, Joy Williams and John Paul White met at a call for country writers. Basically, they were in a room with a bunch of writers who were together trying to come up with a few new singles for a country band. From there, they connected really well (emotionally and musically) and started to write songs together. They aren't married though! No White Stripes or anything. Some of you may know their single 'Poison & Wine' from Grey's Anatomy, and some may know their title-single, 'Barton Hollow', which has got a rockin' guitar riff that drives the song with a mix of some seriously sassy vocal harmonies reminiscent of any sort of Alabama, Southern-U.S.A. music you might here. Their album is spectacularly simple: its just Williams, White and a guitar piano (and I guess bits of percussion added in too). Its a fantastic album to listen to, start to finish, because each song is a beautiful but secretive story that's sung with conviction, passion, and emotional clarity that pours out of your speakers as you listen. I would highly recommend this album to anyone who appreciates a little Nashville mixed with some really special vocal duets. Oh, and I should mention: you can download a free live recording from their website, and its their second show ever. The album is Live at Eddie's Attic, and I'm about to have a listen to it as well! Enjoy, and special thanks to Alex Lepinski for another great find! [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Album Art"][/caption] Track Listing

1. 20 years
2. I've Got This Friend
3. C'est la Mort
4. To Whom It May Concern
5. Poison & Wine
6. My Father's Father
7. Barton Hollow
8. The Violet Hour
9. Girl With the Red Balloon
10. Falling
11. Forget Me Not
12. Birds of a Feather
13. I Want You Back (Bonus Track)
14. Dance Me to the End of Love (Bonus Track)