Doghouse Roses are a duo from Glasgow who define their sound as a blend of traditional British Folk and Americana. Their name presumably derives from the title of Steve Earle's collection of short stories.
Paul Tasker (guitar) and Iona Macdonald (vocals) say they formed in 2006 "after one too many nights drinking red wine and listening to Pentangle, Fairport Convention and Gillian Welch".
Released on their own label, the couple's second full length album has a dozen solid tunes that offer glimpses into troubled lives without ever giving the feeling there's much conviction behind the songs.
Tasker's accomplished guitar is lyrical rather than dynamic and Macdonald's voice is too sweet and wholesome to inject any real drama into the songs. Even when roused, her rebukes remain polite "don't make promises you can't uphold" (Evermore) and is more likely to say "leave me be" (Devil In Me) than eff off.
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As easy listening the album works fine but I have the impression they were aiming for something with greater depth.
Macdonald says that they see themselves as "traditionalists but not in a traditional sense" but there's a world of difference between getting tipsy on red wine and getting ratted on whisky and gentle reflections on doubt and disillusionment are no real match for earthy folk songs of bitter experience.
Doghouse Roses' Website
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