After scoring an audition thanks to executives noticing their performance videos shared on Facebook, hot country mother/daughter duo Allison and Krystal Steel, aka 2Steel Girls, won the heart of fellow country singer Blake Shelton during their appearance on season three of the hit talent show The Voice. In front of millions of viewers, with coaching from Shelton, the path to country music stardom for these ladies from Ohio had been paved. With just three Voice episodes under their belt, the two became the first music artists to ever debut an independent single with a live performance on NBC’s Today Show, affirming the future for them would be bright.
Now, two years after their debut EP Red, White, and Blue Girls, the duo has released their second album, The Real Thing and within two weeks the album was charting on the Billboard charts. Like it says in the title, this album shows who they are – themselves.
The Real Thing is a mixture of slow melodic tunes sailing in and out of rock ‘n’ roll masterpieces, starting with the first track “Lost.” What begins as slow and sad sounding quickly turns into a hard soulful tune with soft piano intro for verses before electric guitars and steady drum beats rev up the soul. With its rhythmic drum, “Queen Bee” combines the sassy style of Miranda Lambert and the matter of fact tone of Motown soul of the late Aretha Franklin, all while telling those interested that if you’re gonna be with me, better treat me like a Queen because I’m Queen of the hive. Clever lyrics paint the perfect “I am woman, hear me roar” stance, making it every girls anthem:
I don’t need your money
And I ain’t got the time
To wait around for honey
That’s coming from another hive
If you want me baby
You better recognize this crown
If you wanna fly with the queen bee
You better bow down
The stand out tune of the album is “Cry Baby” – yes it’s THE “Cry Baby.” Matching the soulful shrill of Janis Joplin in the opening note, the song showcases the high octave, highly soulful vocals of Krystal along with an intense piano solo worthy of the likes Jerry Lee Lewis. Just as it was in Janis’ day (and still is!), this song will move any lover of good old fashioned blues music. Crowds will be on their feet, hands raised, feeling like they’ve just been to the church of pain and regret.
The ladies included another impressive cover in “I Won’t Grow Up.” Steady drums, strings, and brass instruments, along with rhythmic snapping of fingers amp Audra Mae and the All-Mighty Sound’s “I Won’t Grow Up” to a swinging-Motown sounding vibe.
Closing out the album is “Flying High” which begins with the sweet melody of a wind up ballet dancer affixed on a jewelry box, followed by amazing harmonies of the girls and background singers. The ethereal sounding tune, with its interlude of electric and steel guitar and harmonies will have you feeling as if you’re on a magical flight within the clouds. Instrumentally perfect from beginning to end.
From start to finish, the 2Steel Girls have released quite the stellar album. The Real Thing is a must download for your music library and is available for download and streaming.
For information on the duo, visit: www.2SteelGirls.com
The Real Thing Track List
Lost
Sugar Rush
Inside Your Head
In My Head
You Get Me
Cry Baby
Wake Up Call
I Won’t Give Up
Queen Bee
10. Forward
11. Flying High