Creation

Personnel: Allison Pierce, Catherine Pierce (vocals); Christian Langdon (synthesizer).
Recording information: Legatronic Studios, Los Angeles; Sunset Sound, Los Angeles.
Photographer: Antony Langdon.
The Pierces' first album in three years, 2014's Creation, is an impeccably produced release that once again highlights the New York-based sister duo's quirky, passionate pop sound. The group's fifth studio album, Creation follows up 2011's You & I. Creation also comes in the fertile wake of the group's song "Secret" (off 2007's Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge), gaining popularity as the theme to the ABC Family TV series Pretty Little Liars. Just as You & I found singer/songwriters Allison and Catherine Pierce expanding their melodic, introspective, folk-inflected sound with a more layered pop/rock production, so does Creation feature an even more nuanced and atmospheric vibe. Cuts like the title track and the R&B-infused "Kings" find the Pierces delving into an ambient, adult contemporary sound that seemingly combines the art pop of Kate Bush with the glacial balladry of Lorde. Of course, while the Pierces may be waifish, reflective songwriters, they are never dour, and cuts like the buoyant '60s girl group-infused "Believe in Me" and rollicking country-rock-leaning "Honest Man" retain all of the duo's bright and infectious lyricism. Ultimately, with Creation, the Pierces have delivered a lovingly crafted album that showcases their creative growth. ~ Matt Collar