Live Review: The Milk Carton Kids, Melody Pool

Young Hunter Valley singer-songwriter Melody Pool cuts a lonely figure on the large stage of the Old Museum's Concert Hall, and her plaintive songs of love lost and longed for add a sense of gravitas to initial proceedings. Armed with just her acoustic guitar, songs such as Henry and new track Kerry's Song are defined by adroit lyrics and tangible sincerity, even if things do become a bit overwrought on occasion. By the time she finishes with the strong Lion On The Loose from her recent debut long-player The Hurting Scene, it's clear why tonight's headliners have become smitten with Pool and invited her to open for them on their forthcoming European jaunt.

Soon these very protagonists join the fray, clad in fine suits and with their trademark vintage guitars firmly in the grasp. The Milk Carton Kids are former solo artists Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale, and as they face each other and start intoning the gorgeous Hope Of A Lifetime into the old school mics before them it's abundantly clear why they joined forces, their voices meshing beautifully and effortlessly from the outset and – in conjunction with their nimble fingerpicking – engulfing the room in a classic, timeless sound. In the first break between songs it's also immediately clear that the tall, bespectacled Ryan is a natural entertainer, his deadpan wit throughout proving one of the evening's highlights – his explanation as to the meaning of “eponymous” is hilarious as they move on to the title track from their recent album The Ash & Clay (his later diatribe about the English derivation of the word “ampersand” from the same album title is equally amusing). Indeed, Pattengale by contrast seems almost surly, but the pair exhibit such an innate musical chemistry that it renders their vastly different personalities insignificant. The move through a raft of beautiful numbers such as The Honey, Honey, Years Gone By and Charlie and the seated crowd is transfixed, immensely appreciating the seemingly effortless skill and dexterity being showcased before them. The pair's shared mindset is reminiscent of classic partnerships such as Simon & Garfunkel or The Everly Brothers, and the authentic Americana nature of their muse means that you could easily imagine songs such as Girls, Gather 'Round and Snake Eyes becoming future classics. They're perfectly in sync to the very end as they finish a powerful set with Stealing Romance and I Still Want A Little More before taking a bow and exiting stage left, but they're soon coaxed back and complete their inaugural Australian trip with the beautiful New York and audience request Memphis, which they perform unamplified from the front of stage. A wonderful introduction to Americana's original odd couple, may they return sooner rather than later.