Ward Thomas are a Country / Americana duo from Hampshire, comprised of 19-year old twin sisters Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas. Hampshire and Country music may not be obvious bed fellows but these girls, brought up on a rural live stock farm from a family line that included artists and authors, have had Country music in their blood ever since they were introduced to the music of Carrie Underwood, Johnny Cash, Dixie Chicks and Alison Krauss by a cousin in their early teens...

Footnotes is one of the most impressive EPs I've heard in a long, long while. The 4-song EP features three original songs co-written by the girls and recorded out in Nashville and a cover of Dougie MacLean’s classic ‘Caledonia’. Oddly enough, 'Caledonia', while a wonderful song, I felt was the weakest track on the EP. On any other compilation this would be the highlight - that just illustrates how impressive the girls original music is.

It's surprising to discover that this is the bands debt UK EP. The music oozes confidence that is normally associated with bands that have had several years recording and performing behind them.

'The Good & The Right' is a song about the bittersweet relationship with technology entitled; 'Footnotes' highlights their beguiling harmonies and a vocal blend. 'Take That Train' is a song with an interesting story at its core (a true-life story about love lost and a chance for redemption, inspired by Lizzy’s brief encounter with a complete stranger on a train who confided in her, recounting her whole life story); and finally we come to 'Caledonia', which is a another beautiful track and fits well with the girls own tracks.

There are more impressive singles here than on most other bands LPs. I'm really looking forward to hearing their debut album.

10

Nick Smithson