Did It Again

Carol Van Dyk is known to indie-rock fans as the voice of the perpetually under-appreciated Dutch power-pop outfit, Bettie Serveert. Pascal Deweze is known to, well, someone, as the frontman for Belgian popmeisters, Sukilove. Together, they make sweet, wistful country-rock under the odd moniker, Chitlin’ Fooks. This is the Fooks’ second record and although it’s a bigger production than their low-key debut, it doesn’t radically alter the formula, which by our account is a damn good thing. Van Dyk’s voice is a wounded, winning coo; Deweze’s is smooth and passionate. They weave them together into an almost mystical force reminiscent of Emmylou Harris’ enchanting work with Gram Parsons. Whether it’s pedal-steel laments (“Sorry”); mandolin-driven hoedowns (“Oh, Johanna”); meditative, country blues (“You & Me”); or playful swing (“Don’t Wait Up”), the duo never feels like mere cultural interlopers. In fact, they deliver their twangy vision of Americana with verve, soul, and a fresh-faced enthusiasm that perhaps only foreigners can bring to it.