All in the Family

I'll start by saying I LOVE The Kinleys! The have some of the best harmony I've ever heard (with the possible exception of The Corrs.) For those of you that don't know who The Corrs are as they are not Country, you might want to check them out. They are OUTSTANDING!

However, I'm very glad that I borrowed this "All in the Family" CD from a friend before I bought it. After waiting for 4 years, I'm somewhat disappointed. "II" was such a great CD, I think their best CD they've come out with. It was solid from start to finish. "All in the Family" doesn't come close! I sure hope they head back into the studio to start working on another one...fast!

Given the splash these twins made with their 1997 debut, it's surprising that their success has tailed off so quickly. Their follow-up, 2000's "II" was a workmanlike Nashville country release, showcasing the twins' remarkably similar voices across a typical New Country collection of songs. Alas, it wasn't New Country enough, as radio didn't really bite and they weren't given a third shot by Sony.

For their third album, independently released, the twins continue to showcase the power of their combined voices on a song catalog that's as much (if not more) power pop than it is country. There are hints of country instrumentation here and there, but mostly it's (loud) electric guitars, bass and drums. The resulting backing tracks require the Kinley's to over-sing nearly everything on the album; it's a collection of upbeat tunes that are essentially rock, and power ballads that verge into Cher and Pat Benetar territory.

Given the Kinley's debt to the Everly...Read more

I just purchased "All In The Family" today and have thoroughly enjoyed every track. The Kinleys' signature sound is as good as ever and the variety of songs on the album makes it pleasing to the ear. For an independent album, the production value is well on par with contemporary Nashville productions. I also have the Kinleys' two other albums and am a big fan of the "one voice" harmony that only twins could produce. I most enjoy the upbeat tracks on the album, but one of my favorites is the plaintive "Little Shoulders." Children always bear the brunt of divorce and this song stands as an anthem to all the little ones whose parents can't get along.

I believe marriage and children have only made the Kinleys more mature in their music and sound, and I enjoy the positive themes of "All In The Family." I hope the Kinleys continue to produce this type of music in years to come and I wish them well in their family life and in their new production company.

If you...Read more