While it probably won’t provoke debates on par with the Replacements versus Beatles Let it Be battle, both folk based albums titled Reservoir that were released in 2009 are well worth music fans attention. First up was the well received debut album from British band Fanfarlo, and now comes the latest record from Portland-based Ah Holly Fam’ly. The eight piece band, which mixes in Sufjan Stevens-like pastoral folk arrangements, came up with a really strong album that floats easily through its 35 minute span. The vocal duties are split between the married couple of Becky Dawson and Jeremy Faulkner, with Faulkner’s horse croak making a strange bedfellow for Dawson’s (and others’) enchanting background vocals. On “All Unfolding” the strange, commanding juxtaposition is at the forefront as the vocals meander between the whimsical, tranquil tapestries that the band creates. The disc is a mellow affair, but the band is comprised of strong enough songwriters to easily keep the listener’s attention. Where it stands compared to Fanfaro is completely up to you.

Ah Holly Fam’ly “All Unfolding” (mp3)

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