Williams Brothers - Williams Brothers (10 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

+1/2 -- Early 70s teen idols re-emerge as pop masters

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 05/22/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Having first found fame as Tiger Beat cover boys, the David and Andrew Williams chucked it all as their popularity peaked, burnt out on the producer-led studio productions and the trapped life of teen idols. For much of the next decade they apprenticed as guitarists and vocalists with the likes of Joe Ely, The Plimsouls, Brian Setzer and T-Bone Burnett. The woodshedding obviously paid off, as their re-emergence as young adults on the 1987 release "Two Stories," and even more so on this 1991 issue, find them to be impressive purveyors of sophisticated pop-rock.Many will know The Williams' music from the appearance of "Can't Cry Hard Enough" on the soundtrack of Beverly Hills 90210 episode #72 ("The Child is Father to the Man"). Co-written by David Williams and Marvin Etzioni, this emotional ballad is certainly the high-point of the album, with acoustic guitar and string arrangements that frame the Williams Brothers vocals beautifully. The result is intense and moving. Similarly, the Etzioni-penned waltz, "Miss This World," features Paul Simon like lyrical introspection, rendered in powerful brotherly harmony and fleshed out with a Celtic touch of mandolin and fiddle.The rest of the album's eleven tracks, written in large part by the Williams Brothers, are an impressive collection of sophisticated pop rock tunes. The Williams' sound brings to mind Nick Heyward's post-Haircut 100 solo albums, E's pre-Eels work, and even the upbeat tunes of George Harrison's latter-day recordings. The production is punchy, yet polite: the drums and horns are energetic, but don't overwhelm the vocalists with a manufactured studio sound. This is a polished work, but not one drained of the artists' intensity. It's surprising that this album is seemingly little-known among the power-pop literati."

The Williams Brothers, Harmony Hotel

hyperbolium | 03/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of Andy and David Williams for 26 years now and I still love their music. I love Can't Cry Hard Enough, Broken Things, Love Is The Language among so many others. I can truly say that they've never composed a song that I didn't like. David has a clear, soulful voice, stong with compassionate lyrics that go right to my heart. Their sweet harmonies complete the songs. God bless you both to help me see through the dark and feel with my heart. Bravo to the Williams Brothers! May we hear from them for many more years to come. Love from LJ.If anyone can give me any information about them, please e-mail me. Thanks with all my heart."

Thank you

Dave Miles | California | 02/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Williams Brothers write songs from the heart in a way that is rare nowadays. Their music speaks of the human condition. Happiness to sadness and all the colors in between. Painfully beautiful in melody and harmony. I was lucky enough to see them at, of all places, a coffee house in Hollywood for their Harmony Hotel album. I have seen many performances in my day, and I am a singer/songwriter myself. I can honestly say it was one of, if not the best.To top it off, I met them afterwards and they thanked me for coming. I said no, thank you.Then they graciously signed my cds. If anyone knows where to get information on what they are up to, please feel free to email me.Guys, if you read this, once again, thank you. I look forward to hearing more from you in the future. The world needs more music like yours. Dave Miles / Miles Sound Music Productions"

The Williams Brothers, Harmony Hotel, Grace Of My Heart

Dave Miles | 03/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've loved the Williams Brothers' music since the days of Fly Pretty Baby and their appearance on The Partridge Family in 1974. Even as teenagers, they shared poise and displayed remarkable giftedness in the musical harmonies they sang, and a special closeness between brothers as identical twins. Twenty years later, I awoke straight up from bed when in 1991, I heard for the first time on the top 100 countdown, "Can't Cry Hard Enough". I had tears in my eyes and chills because I immediately knew who was singing the song. I cheered for them and was so proud that the teenage duo that I was so impressed with as teenagers, had 20 years later, blossomed into men who composed such a beautifully, moving song. I was thrilled to find "The Williams Brothers" and even more thrilled to find "Harmony Hotel". Their music holds such a special place in my heart as they seem to sing me through the dark nights that we all have now and then. "Love is the Language", "Broken Things", and "Can't Cry Hard Enough", both on "The Williams Brothers", and the incredibly sweet version of the song on Victoria Williams CD, "Swing The Statue", are the songs I cherish most. "Love Doesn't Ever Fail Us" from the movie "Grace Of My Heart" is a touching ballad that they should have received more credit for. The Williams Brothers seem to sing songs full of compassion, sensitivity, wisdom, and courage, and although the songs can be sad in nature, they sing them with joy in their voices that is a refreshing, comforting, wholesome, and Christian flavor that uplifts us when facing troubles in our daily lives. I'm trying to buy "Two Stories" that they released approximately in 1988, that is out of print. Andy and David, if you happen to read this, thank you so much for using your gifts to touch not only my life, but so many lives around the world with your music that speaks to our hearts. I'm waiting in anticipation for your next work of art."

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