Two become one. Meet Me There marks the romantic melding of soloists Justin Ahmanson and Emily Villareal on nine songs that lay out a soft, even spread of Americana behind cascading piano, violin, and the latter’s voice. Call-and-answer couples’ moments unfold in the tradition of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros and/or Tim McGraw & Faith Hill. Yet rather than being pulled into active waters, listeners are forced to float in tepid sentimentality and tradition. Fuller tracks including “Yours Tonight” and “You Only Have to Break My Heart” tease the local duo’s uptempo potential while nevertheless remaining vocally restrained. A love inspiring fresh collaboration surely sparks the Traveling Ones even now, so consider Meet Me There a weigh station.

**

This article appears in August 11 • 2017.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US