"If you channel the wind and you put it in a song, it will carry us
all." That is the hope of the new album Land of Sea by Chris and Thomas.
Those lyrics and others alike paint a stucco canvas where cellos, banjos,
a dobra, nylon/steel string guitars and miscellaneous percussion tools are towed through the desert by a couple of guys known as simply Chris and Thomas.

The double act that performs harmonies accompanied by a slew of
stringed instruments are anything but ordinary. In the late 90's the
two created "Cook Au Van," a traveling cooking show. The vehicle for
the show was literally an old gas board utility van that they had
converted into a five -tar restaurant. Made from exquisite found
objects, the van boasted water fountains, changing works of art and a
fully functional wet bar. Inside the van, they hosted dinner parties
for the Lord Mayor and countless British celebrities. After doing the
circus lifestyle with the traveling restaurant and cooking for the
likes of Jarvis Cocker, Bill Drummond, politicians and fine artists,
the two had decided to turn back to their true love of music.

Although Chris and Thomas may seem to be just too guys in harmony, they
seem to have a deeper theme. They sing, "Some will win and
some will lose, some will play and some refuse." In "Time to Find
Out" they tell us "It takes some patience to get through life; it
takes some time to get it right.” Commenting on some of the life’s cruel heartbreaks they sing "Don't hang your heart on love, things, a place a love."

Of course they do sing “If you are looking for a meaning and there isn't one, move
on." Maybe there isn't a deeper metaphysical meaning here, but I think
there is. Perhaps, that is Chris and Thomas' coy way of trying to convince us that they are just a couple of ordinary guys.

While, the lyrics may get dark, we still hear a sophisticated banjo with a deep smooth cello, and carefully blended harmony at just the right key. Really who could ask for more to endure life's bitter game?

The albums second track "Broken Chair" is my favorite because of the
low bass notes coming from Chris and Thomas. Again, we have a lyrical message "you
try to so hard to mend what's bound to fall apart," a simple yet
profound proverb on the transitory life.

“Take these thoughts” is a song that accentuates Chris and Thomas' unique ability to sing together. Coupled with the mandolin and guitar, the tempo increases to a crescendo, ending with a Chris and Thomas grand finale duet.

"Riversong" is aptly titled in that this is a song that could have
been played on the river banks of the Mississippi throughout the ages. It could
cross for a southern gospel river standard if it wanted to.

If comparisons need to be made, then the final song "Horse in the Sky"
is dead on for the original guitar wielding duo Simon & Garfunkel.
"Horse in the Sky" was co-written with John Debney (composer,
including Passion of the Christ original score, which was nominated
for an Academy Award). "Horse in the Sky” has an amazing balance between voice, percussion, an upright bass and melody.

Land of the Sea will take you to a place a little bit dryer where the natural laws governing sound are in full display. Beyond the haze you’ll hear a mandolin, banjo, and dobra being plucked, performance and the elegant agreement of two voices.