[The following article was published in the Lee Clarion's Entertainment section in 2012, as a personal column and review of the band The Civil Wars.]
Combining minimalistic sounds and Tennessee-Alabama folk music seems to come naturally to The Civil Wars, an up-and-coming band composed of artists Joy Williams and John Paul White.
Combining minimalistic sounds and Tennessee-Alabama folk music seems to come naturally to The Civil Wars, an up-and-coming band composed of artists Joy Williams and John Paul White.
The duo, who released their debut album in February of 2011, has captured audience attention with their unique style and harmony.
Those who have kept up with Christian music since 2000 may recognize the name Joy Williams, as she released three solo albums between 2001 and 2005. Likewise, White's name may ring familiar, as he released a solo album in 2008. The two met in 2008 and began making music together in 2009, according to their website.
Perhaps the most unique feature of the band is their unpretentious and simplistic sound, choosing only to utilize the piano and guitar as a backup to their harmony.
According to their website, they travel without a backup band, choosing to play their concerts and create music with just the bare minimum of acoustic sounds. However, this trait only enhances the duo’s vocal talents, leaving listeners with a sense of rawness and simplicity that is refreshing.
In an article on ThinkChristian.net, John Thompson writes that while their music has been accepted and loved by many, several in the Christian music realm have cast unapproving glances their way due to the relational openness present in their music. Many Christian music fans are taken aback by the passion found in the duo’s songs and in their live performances, as the two are both married, but not to each other.
"If the voices delivering the songs are characters in a sort of musical play, the plot is certainly a tragedy," Thompson said. "The fact that both actors are happily married off-stage should not come as a surprise to thinking fans, but it will."
However, Thompson also admits that without this somewhat sensual ache found in the band’s songs, the musical appeal would be considerably lessened.
Even though some in the Christian music industry have raised a wagging finger against the band, the harmonious duo has been taken by storm for others outside of the Christian music industry. The band’s hit song “Poison & Wine,” appearing in its entirety, was featured on an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, and Joy Williams’ song “We Are” is now featured in the official film trailer for “The Vow”.
Perhaps the band’s most recent accomplishment is the song “Safe & Sound,” which the duo paired up with Taylor Swift to arrange for the upcoming release of The Hunger Games. Swift went as far as tweeting her love of the band by saying, "Listening to 'Poison & Wine' by @thecivilwars. You can't push 'repeat' on vinyl so I keep setting the needle back on my record player."
Although the band is still in its infancy, the duo is a pairing like none other. With their moving lyrics, inspiring vocals and raw talent, The Civil Wars is a duo to be remembered.
