A breath of fresh air.
The Pierces are two sisters (Allison and Catherine) from Alabama, USA who describe their sound as 'a fever induced, gypsy dream that you have after drinking too much red wine while listening to a cabaret singer in a southern speakeasy that is run by witches'. Eye-rolling-ly pretentious clichés aside however, the pair are a breath of fresh air, combining folk, pop and cabaret influences to form a fresh and distinctive sound that is clearly their own.
'Sticks and Stones' is dominated by folk instruments and an old-time-sounding beat that brings to mind images of organised dances in the Wild West. The sisters' voices do not sound especially strong or original, but their modern pop harmonies bring something different to the song's otherwise old-fashioned feel.
B-side 'Turn On Billie' is the stronger of the tracks largely due to the presence of backing music that wouldn't sound out of place on a Dresden Dolls track, and the slinky pace that is thus produced; a pace which turns the girls' voices from pop to 60s and induces a wish to tap in even the most reluctant of feet. Given the success of the comparatively dull Long Blondes, The Pierces should be a name we hear again, hopefully in reference to an album release.