The Milk Carton Kids All The Things That I Did And All The Things That I Didn't Do (CD)

(Anti Records) 12 tracks, digipack, incl. 32-page booklet

Two guitars, two voices, one microphone: Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan were previously known as an acoustic duo that performed fragile vintage folk songs with quiet, catchy melodies, wonderful harmonies and virtuoso guitar playing on four albums. This has already earned the Californian duo, who have been active since 2011, a Grammy nomination and the title ''Group of the Year'' at the Americana Music Awards 2014.

Produced by Joe Henry (Joan Baez, Allen Toussaint, Billy Bragg), the album ''All The Things That I Did And All The Things That I Didn't Do'' marks a departure from the previous success pattern, as the two were in the studio with a band for the first time. For a very simple reason, as Pattengale emphasizes: ''We wanted to do something new. Although the creative cogs fit together perfectly, they simply needed to expand their sound palette in order to develop artistically.

The involvement of other musicians was therefore a logical step. And one that has done them both good. The twelve new songs are more diverse without losing their familiar sound signature. Perfect for fans of The Barr Brothers, Shovels & Rope and Dawes.