Hay bales and horses were not out of place at the Center for the Arts when The Wreckers pushed the boundaries of country music on stage Saturday night.
The Wreckers, Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp, performed for an audience comprised mostly of couples who snuggled up to each other during the slow songs. The crowd also included families and students, some of whom screamed their way through the more lively tracks and showered the duo with fanatical cries of "We love you!"
The music moved seamlessly between upbeat songs, while the slower numbers were breathtakingly poignant. One of the most memorable songs was Harp's solo song "Top Of The World," originally by Patty Griffin.
Regardless of tempo, the girls' voices were remarkably precise. Harp's clear, crisp voice sailed through a stunning vocal range while Branch's rich, slightly smoother tones possessed maturity not present in her former work.
Individually the girls have wonderful voices, but when together the magic really came out. The harmonies were never off, both voices complementing each other evenly. It seemed to be a reflection of their personal relationship.
As Branch left the stage, Harp pointed out "I hate not being on stage with her."
There was one mistake during the performance when the lead guitarist started a song with the wrong guitar and had to stop the song so he could switch.
The Wreckers, with their cowboy-hat-country style, may not be the band for everybody, but they certainly do inspire loyalty amongst those who like what they hear.
The concert was great from start to finish thanks to the atmosphere created by Branch and Harp.
The girls performed brilliantly with songs like "My Oh My," "Tennessee" and "Crazy People," but their rapport upstaged all of their music.
Country music seems to be mounting a comeback at the moment, and with the help of The Wreckers, a more contemporary take on the genre could play an important role.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
