The thing that immediately drew Big Machine Records president Scott Borchetta, Big Kenny and Naomi Judd to Steel Magnolia during their run on CMT’s “Can You Duet” was the pair’s chemistry. Separately they may not have gained any notice but like season one runner-ups Joey+Rory, Steel Magnolia had the “it factor” that people are always looking for.  Over the course of the show’s season, the duo showed – time and time again – how they were ready to make their way into the tough mainstream country music crowd.  Their immediate success throughout most of 2010 with the Top 5 debut single “Keep On Lovin’ You” proved that theory true. 

While that song gave country music fans a fine introduction into the music of Joshua Scott Jones and Meghan Linsey – including giving the audience an good indication that their sound would lean more on the modern pop-rock sounds and less on the traditional country sounds – the rest of the twelve track Steel Magnolia album serves that their chemistry is even stronger than it is on that song, particularly on album opener “Ooh La La,” with its progressively ‘funky’ melody and tale of instant-attraction, the moody break-up anthem “Edge of Goodbye,” and the playfully romantic “Eggs Over Easy.”

“Homespun Love,” the lone ‘cover song’ on this album, was originally recorded by Keith Urban when he was in his band The Ranch and the tune is downright the most ‘traditional country’ sounding song on the record which is sure to surprise a few people who think Keith Urban’s anything but a ‘traditional country’ singer.  Fans of acoustic, singer-songwriter-y story songs will certainly find “Glass Houses” appealing while current radio single “Last Night Again” tells of the emotional and fiery beginning of a relationship.

While Steel Magnolia may not appeal to fans of the traditionally-minded music (a la Marty Stuart or Jamey Johnson) it is nonetheless a solid collection of mainstream country music that introduces a charismatic and dynamic duo ready to become one of country music’s top duos.

You can support Steel Magnolia by purchasing this album at Amazon | iTunes.