While the Twins’ original songs, albeit addictive and soulful, come off as a bit light on their two studio albums, the live combination of their traded, crystalline harmonies and the lounge sway of their backing band drew in the audience, setting a mood that was both calm and captivating. They stayed away from their more stripped down material, opting instead for newer songs that showcased the musicianship of their band, such as the tumbleweed organ roll of their latest single, “Devil In You”.

The calmness of the evening nearly went into self parody during the interludes of their set with the Twins’ exchanging joking, sisterly banter with one another, their voices so mellow that it felt like a reenactment of the “Delicious Dish” sketches from Saturday Night Live. But it came from a sincere place that contributed to the relaxed, casual feel of the evening.

Things were livened up at all the right moments with a handful of well chosen covers; stripped down reinterpretations that ranged from awkwardly playful (“Sweetest Taboo”) to breezy (“Ain’t No Sunshine”) to heartfelt (a slowed down, harmonica soaked “Just Like Heaven”), rounding out a relaxed, canyon sound that transcended the usual coffee shop fare.

When they burst onto the scene with Lewis’ 2006 debut, Rabbit Fur Coat, they did so in a very fortunate way. With seasoned musicians at the helm, all they had to do was open up those fresh pipes and let out the goods, but that still left them in the background. When it came time for their own debut, they stuck to their southern comfort zone and ended up with a record that didn’t quite have the grip needed to make the huge splash they deserved. Even on the second time around, they seemed to be searching for their own identity, working to separate from the Lewis back-up band credit, and the subsequent record showed it.

With time, things changed, and the twins seem ready now more than ever to show us what they’re made of. The record opens with something familiar, a tapping drum beat and a brighter version of what was “Modern Man”.  When the keys of “Harpeth River” hit next, however, the sisters’ newer, sultrier side is introduced. The Zero 7-inspired number is stylish and crisp with guitars working over those ominous and hypnotizing keys.

As for the writing, they have a real knack for clever and biting lyrics, with the brilliant blues of “Midnight” delivering classic lines: “Careful what you wish for/I know the score”. Further down the line, “Devil In You” slaps you with, “Well the devil in you tried to tell me what to do/I don’t think so”, taking you into darker places. Words like those show just how revealing this record can be, and just how brilliant these girls are at writing such straight to the core words with more than fitting music to back it up. The first mentioned doing so with gritty guitars and gospel keys; it’s really the only way to sing of paying the piper. The quiet and longing strums of “Snow Canyons” help them take emotion out of your hands and into theirs, and that’s not something that’s easy to do.

Not all is dark and brooding, however. The Twins spread out much more on this record, touching on their alt-country roots for “Brave One”, and venturing all over the south expanding on what they call the blues with indie rock highlights. The bouncy steady pop rock of “U-N-Me” gives flashbacks to the days with Lewis, and when they hit that chorus at the end, a little Patty Griffin comes out to play. It’s a final track that leaves a lasting impression, and one that gives a fresh start for these girls.

They were shy when they started, but anyone who listened knew that there had to be something bigger and better for The Watson Twins. Talking to You is the step up that moves the sisters from indie rock back-up singers to brilliant singer/songwriters to relish. It’s an album of questions, trials, and timeless Kentucky wit that leaves you breathless at its best moments, and smiling everywhere in between. From the sounds of it, growing up isn’t so bad after all.

Via The Playlist, Kyle Patrick Alvarez’s Easier With Practice is a film about a bored author who starts a relationship over the phone with a strange girl. While not the most inherently thrilling plot, the likes of Grizzly Bear (who also scored a film for Phillip Seymour Hoffman), The Spinto Band, Deer Tick, Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene, and The Watson Twins (plus many more artists that you can find here) should help set the pace of a potentially interesting tale of boy-meets-girl. Plus, it’s rated NC-17, so even better! While no tracklist has been announced, you can expect the pre-existing Watson Twins track “Darlin’ Song” to appear. The movie is available on DVD April 6th.

But small festival darlings with limited releases, movies about sparkly vampires, and flicks rubber stamped for rampant drug use by Tim Burton aren’t the only films mining the indie world. Hot Tub Time Machine, the film which sports a plot that is exactly as it sounds, will feature the likes of Public Enemy (who re-recorded 1988′s “Louder Than a Bomb”), The Replacements, and Echo & The Bunnymen. And since the film’s set in 1986, you’ll also hear plenty of Talking Heads, INXS, Men Without Hats, and The English Beat. But best of all, Craig Robinson will make the ladies (and many of the men) swoon with renditions of Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” and the Black Eyed Peas burner “Let’s Get It Started”. This film hits theaters March 26th with the tracklist below.

If Darryl Philbin from The Office can’t win you over, none of these soundtracks ever will.

Hot Tub Time Machine: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Tracklist:
01. Public Enemy – Louder Than A Bomb (Back Into Time)
02. Scritti Politti – Perfect Way
03. Men Without Hats – The Safety Dance
04. INXS – What You Need
05. David Bowie – Modern Love
06. The Replacements – I Will Dare
07. Salt ‘N Pepa -”Push It
08. Echo & The Bunnymen – Bring On The Dancing Horses
09. The English Beat – Save It For Later
10. Spandau Ballet – True
11. Craig Robinson – Jessie’s Girl
12. New Order – Bizarre Love Triangle
13. Talking Heads – Once In A Lifetime
14. Mötley Crüe – Home Sweet Home
15. Craig Robinson – Let’s Get It Started

The Watson Twins will offer an early preview of the album beginning today (Oct. 28) when they embark on a month-long U.S. tour. Get your calendar and take note of the dates below.

The Watson Twins 2009 Tour Dates:
10/28 – Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theatre
10/29 – San Fracnscio, CA @ Great American Music Hall
10/30 – Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theatre
11/01 – Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s
11/02 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
11/03 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
11/05 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
11/06 – Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theatre
11/07 – St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill
11/08 – Birmingham, AL @ WorkPlay Soundstage Theatre
11/10 – St. Petersburgh, FL @ State Theatre
11/11 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room
11/13 – Orlando, FL @ The Social
11/14 – Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage Theatre
11/15 – Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
11/17 – Washington, DC @ Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
11/19 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
11/20 – Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero Theatre
11/21 – Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theatre
11/22 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues