Fearing and White Lowdenproud***

Stephen Fearing was raised in Dublin before moving to Canada, where he found fame and fortune with, among others, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. About 10 years ago he met Andy White, the noted Belfast-born tunesmith who lives in Melbourne, and they began writing songs together. This low-key, 13-track debut scores high on a kind of innocent charm generated by their evident ease with each other's company and style. The laid- back songs, however, could be stronger, a fact highlighted by the stripped-back production. Though mostly in the pop-folk mould, there are hints of genres such as rockabilly in the strong opener, Say You Will,and the bluesy U nder the Silver Sky. There is also a fair amount of wistful reflection on What We Know Nowand Dream Maker. Fearing and White's strongest suit is their compatibility, especially on the sweetly vulnerable Faithful Heart. See lowdenproud.ca

Download tracks: S ay You Will, Faithful Heart