Wow! I first heard of Lydia and Laura Rogers, real-life sisters who grew up outside of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, via NPR. The song they wrote with Brandi Carlile, Black and Blue, is indeed reminescent of the Everly Brothers, and after sampling a few songs I bought their new album, produced by the legendary T. Bone Burnett.

The odd title to the second track intrigued me, and I was simply blown away by that song they wrote with Dan Wilson. It is a wonderfully dark tale of love and violence, with pounding drums and wailing guitars and strings which are a perfect contrast to their precise singing and beautiful harmonies. I can’t wait to listen to the rest of the album.

Iuka 

(click here to listen; sample or buy Iuka at Amazon or iTunes; album link on Amazon and iTunes)

I’d never tell a man to ask my daddy for my hand
I’ve got a thousand tales about the temper of that man
He’d shoot a man who came within a mile of my young frame
But I know that you will take the risk so I can take your name

You’ve got the ring, I’ve got the keys, and sixty miles ahead
Iuka, Mississippi where the two of us will wed

Take me down to Iuka, Mississippi
‘fore he knows the two of us have up and gone
Take me down to Iuka, Mississippi
We can run away and never come home
never come home

My Daddy finally knocked a little sense right into me
so I asked around until I found the Justice of the Peace
The bruises on my body can’t be hidden anymore
So park your car up on the hill, I’m headed out the door

Step easy so my daddy doesn’t hear us sneak away
Hang around he’ll shoot you down that’s why we just can’t stay

Take me down to Iuka, Mississippi
‘fore he knows the two of us have up and gone
Take me down to Iuka, Mississippi
We can run away and never come home

Follow close behind me, not much further now
Always just a shadow, I didn’t hear a sound
Ain’t no way he heard us, Ain’t no way he’ll come
I hear someone breathin’, hold my hand and run

Somewhere in the river there’s a gun the devil owned
Somehow everybody knew that everything was wrong
A noose up in the maple tree; the old man’s gonna pay
Two headstones for two lovers who finally got away

Take me down to Iuka, Mississippi
‘fore he knows the two of us have up and gone
Take me down to Iuka, Mississippi
We can run away and never come home

Take me down to Iuka, Mississippi
‘fore he knows the two of us have up and gone
Take me down to Iuka, Mississippi
We can run away and never come home
never come home