LECLAIRE
Rattle (self-released)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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Tim and Trent LeClaire are identical twins from Rhinelander,Wisconsin, and like many identical twins they interact seamlessly, in this case when they're singing their well-written country tunes. The vocal harmonies are so right on the money it almost distracts from the stories they're telling at times. "This is sure an interesting song... WOW, is that double-tracked or are they both singin' there?! Oh, damn, what happened in the story?"

You get used to it after a while, but I doubt you'll ever take it for granted. There's a long tradition of brother acts specializing in close harmony, and the LeClaire brothers, while still undiscovered by labels and the masses, fit nicely into that tradition. Their songs, written by both brothers, usually with a third person, stick in your mind and manage to straddle the creek between real country and pop country so expertly that they might fool the stations into playing the extremely radio-friendly "She Ain't From Here" while keeping the respect of the true country fans. In other words, they can rock with a country harmony and they can do the requisite pop country ballad, transcending the genre with those remarkable voices. Everything you could ask for except an audience, and that's a crime.

At least somebody has noticed. The inner flap of the cover has a quote that reads "I have known Tim and Trent nigh on 4 years. In my sixty years in country music I have never heard more talent come out of two siblings." That quote, my friends, is from the great Charlie Louvin of The Louvin Brothers. When a Louvin Brother says that, you've got it goin' on. Go to www.timtrent.com because it's the only place you can get the full scoop on them and get the CD. Recommended wholeheartedly.

© 2002 - DJ Johnson