The Louvin Brothers - Tragic Songs of Life (1956), 3/10

The harmonizing style of The Louvin Brothers is grating, it simply becomes irritating after one or two consecutive songs showcasing the same repeated style. Beyond this basic aesthetic question, there is not enough variety in songwriting or structure to warrant their vocal performances’ immediate flatlining. Yes some are more upbeat than others, but that is roughly the extent of the variety within the entire record. There may be room for respect considering the genuine origin of the songs and their background and some of the heartbreak stories are enjoyable, but ultimately there is no value in returning, even as a fan of this era of country music. Much braver feats were accomplished before and since the Louvin Brothers released their first LP in 1956. Even their own Satan Is Real from 1959 is a much more varied, albeit bizarre, effort within the same decade. It is more charming, eccentric and impressive in just about every fashion. As a couple of guys discovering their sound it is decent enough, but doesn’t stand up to much of the country music that would come later. Granted, the mandolin adds a unique flairr, but the record itself is far too uniform to warrant much interest beyond a brief infatuation toward the beginning of the first side. If you are a country music enthusiast or someone experiencing deep heartbreak, go ahead and give it a shot, otherwise listening to this record likely won’t be an inspirational experience.