Fluke, the latest album by Frances Luke Accord, expertly navigates a wide variety of genres and sounds. The one constant throughout the album is the synchronized voices of this Chicago based duo. Frequently singing over nothing, effortlessly switching from unison to harmonies, they remind you that Frances Luke Accord is an entity. There is rarely a distinct lead and rhythmic role to their music as these two prefer to trade musical ideas to the point where any song would be meaningless without the other.
"Reach out for it," they begin the album, "leave your things behind." This opening line feels a bit autobiographical coming from FLA as Fluke pursues new musical ideas with remarkable grace. Musically and lyrically this is an album that illustrates travel; for all it's joys, pains and excitement. Even Nightline, the album's one instrumental track (a brilliant violin performance by Katie Van Dusen) is appropriately riddled with noises from a bustling city.
The instrumental track's placement is quite appropriate as it comes directly after the song David, a turning point on Fluke. After four songs that show clear growth but still echo the musical roots of FLA these two begin to stretch their legs a little and the listener can only benefit from this experimentation. Clever fills are casually tossed between trumpet and piano for a jazzier arrangement while the mandolin tremolos continue to convey this group's distinct sound. Everything culminates into a musical interlude that is positively mesmerizing and easily my favorite moment on the album.
Fluke is intriguing from start to finish and it reflects Frances Luke Accord well. Fans of the Local Natives should check out the harmony ridden, tom heavy, psychological treatise that is Egoeye. On The Road, their 8 minute opus, is not only masterfully built as a song but also well placed near the end of an album that wants to gradually reveal something new. Whatever these two decide to do, they commit and they do it well. It is important to note that despite the few guest musicians peppered throughout the album and the bold, almost cinematic, arrangements this is still a pure folk duo who would be just as entrancing with a dusty, out of tune hand-me-down guitar on the side of the road. Listen and purchase on bandcamp today!
"Reach out for it," they begin the album, "leave your things behind." This opening line feels a bit autobiographical coming from FLA as Fluke pursues new musical ideas with remarkable grace. Musically and lyrically this is an album that illustrates travel; for all it's joys, pains and excitement. Even Nightline, the album's one instrumental track (a brilliant violin performance by Katie Van Dusen) is appropriately riddled with noises from a bustling city.
The instrumental track's placement is quite appropriate as it comes directly after the song David, a turning point on Fluke. After four songs that show clear growth but still echo the musical roots of FLA these two begin to stretch their legs a little and the listener can only benefit from this experimentation. Clever fills are casually tossed between trumpet and piano for a jazzier arrangement while the mandolin tremolos continue to convey this group's distinct sound. Everything culminates into a musical interlude that is positively mesmerizing and easily my favorite moment on the album.
Fluke is intriguing from start to finish and it reflects Frances Luke Accord well. Fans of the Local Natives should check out the harmony ridden, tom heavy, psychological treatise that is Egoeye. On The Road, their 8 minute opus, is not only masterfully built as a song but also well placed near the end of an album that wants to gradually reveal something new. Whatever these two decide to do, they commit and they do it well. It is important to note that despite the few guest musicians peppered throughout the album and the bold, almost cinematic, arrangements this is still a pure folk duo who would be just as entrancing with a dusty, out of tune hand-me-down guitar on the side of the road. Listen and purchase on bandcamp today!
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