Broken Fences

The closely matched harmonies and bittersweet songwriting of Pittsburgh’s Broken Fences invite comparisons to The Swell Season, The Civil Wars, and other similar male/female duos. But partners Moran Erina and Guy Alexander Russo follow a more introspective path than their better-known counterparts. Erina’s warm, slightly tearstained vocals take the lead on most tracks, supported by Russo’s sweet high tenor. Musically, the album invokes the misty British folk strains of Sandy Denny and Nick Drake, with touches of Everything but the Girl–style pop in spots. Love in all its phases is the overriding theme, ranging from deep attraction (“Song for You”) to fear of commitment (“Today It’s Raining on Just You”) and creeping discontent (“Wait”). The songs' tones are tender, even chaste (though Erina does drop the f-bomb in “Locked Inside”). Occasional bass and drums and judicious additions of strings give heft, though the ethereal dominates the earthy. Broken Fences’ trump card is the sincerity of their performances—these two young musicians capture the pang and pleasure of a love affair with quiet intensity.