ACL Music Fest 2014 Saturday Reviews

Falls

Into the Fire (Verve)

Difficult to separate the autobiography from Falls' debut EP given the romantic relationship and breakup of Australian duo Melinda Kirwin and Simon Rudston-Brown. It's not bitterness that saturates the six songs of Into the Fire, but rather a lovely resignation, the sad slip away of love that maybe shouldn't have been pursued at all. Kirwin and Rudston-Brown meld effortlessly in harmony from the outset of "Please," the former's breathy lilt softly shading the latter's lower tenor. "Girl That I Love" and "Home" both rise with a gentle but complex songwriting, though along with the clapping "Hey" evidence too much influence from recent tourmates the Lumineers. "Hollywood" stands out as stunningly different however, a subtle and gorgeous piano ballad rivaling Harry Nilsson's most emotionally sincere moments as strings sway in the backdrop. An uncertain future, but promising start. (2pm, Austin Ventures stage)