Down This Roadby Anonymous

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May 28, 2005: Given that the Wrights' songs and harmonies were among the most fetching elements of Alan Jackson's "What I Do" album, it's no surprise that the same elements make their debut so wonderful. Whether they're trading leads or singing together, there's a perfect dichotomy of harmony and spark between this husband and wife duo. The vocals are Everly Brothers tight, but with the high-low magic of a male-female duo; think of them as a more commercial version of Buddy and Julie Miller, and without the latter's little-girl sing-song. ¶ The opener, "Down This Road," is so good that it's a wonder the rest of the album can keep up. Shannon's full-throated kiss-off, articulated with pedal steel and rumbling low notes from the piano, is underlined by Adam's harmony. It's the sort of radio hit you tune up and down the dial hoping to hear one more time before you exit the highway for dinner (where you notice that you've strained your voice singing along and your hands hurt from drumming on the steering wheel). ¶ Additional charms include the lazy, humid "You're In Georgia Now," and the jazzy he-said she-said of "On the Rocks." There's another fine kiss-off tune (the bluegrass "Roller Coaster") and gospel-inspired country ("Leave a Light On"), and the album closes with another fine example of The Wrights' effortless lead trading on the sassy "You Got the Thorns." Neatly, the song ends with a minute-and-half instrumental, providing the band a chance to stretch out, and providing an unusually musical close to a Nashville produced album. One of the year's most welcome debuts! ¶ 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings.