'Clear'ly worth a listen

The North Carolina-based duo of Philip Moore and Beth Tacular once again proves its versatility on “The Clearing,” the latest Bowerbirds album.

Between the harmonies of Moore and Tacular and a few added instruments, such as piano and keyboards, “The Clearing” is more polished and structured than their previous albums.

Opener “Tuck the Darkness” hits listeners with this album’s staples: harmonies, more instruments and explorative lyrics.

“Stitch the Hem” is particularly vibrant, demonstrating the pair’s great harmonies. The track also shows the contemplative, questioning lyrics that pervade the album.

“Now We Hurry On” finishes this album with a hopeful note, switching from the slower pace of the rest of the album. While the impact is great, the delivery is simple, relying on the duo’s vocals.

Sometimes the softest voices can be the most powerful.