Score: 5/5
Contrary to the word’s negative connotations, The Weepies may have produced the sweetest sounding sirens listeners ever hear.
Together, Steve Tannen and Deb Talan’s comfortable phrasing and smooth singing carries the duo’s fifth full-length album “Sirens,” which features both original and cover songs.
Talan was battling cancer and recovering during the album-making process, but listeners would never know the difference because each song is just as strong and well-constructed as its past works, if not better. The 16 folksy tunes hold meaning and each tell a story of their own.
The album opens with “River from the Sky,” a sad and slow tune with the recurring lyrics, “Heavy storm about to cry like a river from the sky.” While it isn’t the most uplifting track, its production is quite soothing, nevertheless. A similar troubling theme is carried into the next song, “No Trouble” but to a different tune.
Listening closely, fans will recognize pressing and relatable topics threaded through the album’s lyrics, and while most bands strive toward this same goal, The Weepies seem to have perfected the formula.
Even the cover songs the duo chose successfully blend into its style. Four songs in, and listeners are treated to a familiar tune with Tom Petty’s “Learning to Fly.” The song is similar to its original arrangement but manages to maintain that signature Weepies sound.
The remainder of the album bounces back and forth between sing-song and mellow melodies, including a cover of Mark Geary’s “Volunteer.”
The songs “Fancy Things,” “Boys Who Want to Be Girls,” “Crooked Smile” and “Does Not Bear Repeating” are some of the album’s strongest tracks. While each one brings something a little different to the table, whether a change in vocalist or tune, they make for a cohesive set.
With many good albums, there’s usually a few weak songs, but not here. Each song feels clever and personalized for a variety of audiences. If listeners aren’t familiar with this band, the album merits further investigation.
The Weepies have encountered some personal road bumps along the way, but that hasn’t stopped it from producing quality material. The duo’s talent shines through on this album, which is not to say it hasn’t before, but there’s a taste of what makes a band worth listening to evident on “Sirens.” A little diversity and a whole lot of dedication goes a long way.