The Topp Twins - Honky Tonk Angel

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These are good times for the Topps, with a smash hit documentary adding to the nation's love for them, and their new album is perhaps their best yet.

They're backed by Don McGlashan and his band the Seven Sisters, who give this a warmer feeling than previous Topp albums, without muscling in on the action.

As always, this is a showcase for the twins' rustic tunes and homely harmonies. After a flat start with the title track, they're up and away with Palamino Moon and Mustang Mountain, a love song with a good, simple hook.

The playful square dance number Holy Cow rubs shoulders with some effectively executed covers – Iris DeMent's Infamous Angel, a great rendition of John Prine's Speed of the Sound of Loneliness, Kieran Kane's witty Town This Size, and an ever-so-funky version of Hirini Melbourne's Nga Iwi E.

There's a celebratory mood here, and the party continues as they revisit older numbers like Calf Club Day, the heartfelt separation song World and the iconic Milestones.

Best tracks: Palamino Moon, Serious.

• CD reviews by Nick Ward; CDs for review supplied by Everyman, Nelson.

- © Fairfax NZ News