American sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell continue to go from strength to strength on their four season musical journey that sees their Fall and Winter EPs / mini albums complete a wonderful set that, naturally, includes the previously released Spring and Summer.

Once again the sisters share the singing and songwriting duties and are ably abetted by regulars Mike Seal (guitar / piano), Daniel Kimbro (bass / banjo), and Chad Melon (drums / percussion). And in many ways, the four EPs are like the British seasons. That is, there's very little to choose between them.

Last time around we commented that with The Dixie Chicks on an extended sabbatical, Larkin Poe could well be contenders for the country / crossover crown. And nothing here changes that view the sisters once again serve up two tasty platters of country / bluegrass that flirts with pop and the mainstream.

If anything, perhaps Fall shades it, and once again it's the subtle embellishments of Mike Seal that lift Larkin Poe above the competition, for example on the bluesy, country pop of It Gets Better As You Go, the liltingly Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, and the broody Fall From The Tree with it's almost Tusk like percussive rhythms.

***½

Review by Pete Whalley

Related>> Spring EP

Related>> Summer EP

Larkin Poe play UK dates March/April 2011

March 30, 2011 The Iron Works Oswestry
March 31, 2011 Live @ The Institute Kelvedon
April 1, 2011 The Elephant & Castle Lewes
April 2, 2011 The Slaughtered Lamb London
April 3, 2011 Acoustic Roots Festival Barnsley
April 4, 2011 The Wheel House Barnsley
April 5, 2011 Swindon Arts Centre Wiltshire
April 6, 2011 Chapel Arts Centre Bath
April 7,2011 The Ferry Glasgow
April 8, 2011 Gateshead Central Tyne & Wear
April 9, 2011 Eden Court Theatre Inverness