The Civil Wars, the singing/songwriting folk duo of Joy Williams and John Paul White, present their debut album. Most of the songs on Barton Hollow feature both of their voices, interwoven in subtle and effective ways. The arrangements are sparse, relying on White’s acoustic guitar and other carefully added instruments, but the focus is on how warmly the two voices connect. The songs deal thoughtfully with heartache and yearning in a way that isn’t trite or maudlin but shows real people in real situations. (Sensibility Music)