Flatt & Alvis - Fields of Fire

Take two guys with some impressive talent, give them a chance to stretch their skills as singers, pickers, and songwriters, give 'em some awesome backup players, and what you end up with is one sharp debut disc. It's easy to believe this is a duo who have been working together for several years, writing up an impressive catalog of original music before even entering college. These two, Stephen Flatt and Shane Alvis, are boys to watch.

Stephen Flatt is the great-nephew of Lester Flatt, proving again that musical talent does run true in families. Shane Alvis was writing songs and singing while still in school. They came together on the musical common ground they shared and soon were performing regularly in front of increasingly appreciative audiences.

Now they're sharing it with the rest of the country, if not the world (at least, countries that appreciate good country music), bringing crystalline harmonies and glorious lyrics sung in powerful voices. The duo combine a gospel/bluegrass background to make music that is pure country/Americana, not too bluegrass but in no way "mainstream" country; this is music as sweet as a mountain spring and completely true to its roots. The duo have managed to capture that real sound and make it not only their very own, but also modern and thoroughly new.

It's hard to believe that boys as young as these are can write the depth of feeling in lyrics such as those in "Fallen Rain" or "Calling of the Crows": "Life's a picture book. You turn the page before you look. It's just a mountain we all must climb. I take the road less traveled, and the mysteries seem to unravel. It takes a little patience and some time." The rest of the disc is as good. In addition to the terrific vocals, Stephen plays guitar; they're backed by Peter Hyrka (violin, mandolin, accordion), Dave Roe (bass), Guthrie Trapp (guitars), Mike Walter (drums, percussion), and Mike Headrick (pedal steel).