The sun is always warm and bright in the Arborea world. Husband and wife duo, Shanti and Buck Curran’s new full length, “House of Sticks” is a warm but fragile affair. Built on arpeggiated chords, drones, and soft vocals. Shanti and Buck draw you into the light and keep things pretty interesting. Even borrowing some words from Midnight Oil’s “Beds are Burning” on their own “Dance, Sing, Fight”. Arborea stretch things out on the album title song ”House of Sticks”. But it is short lived and possibly a little safe. I would have liked to hear a little more stretch. There are some fine vocal moments, “River and rapids” and nice bluesy slide guitar work, “Dance, sing, fight”, but there was just something a little lack luster. I wanted the Currans to really go for it and get out of their comfort zone. Dare I say Richard and Linda Thompson are a launching point for Arborea? It is pretty apparent. Hailing from Maine the folksy duo do create an Appalachian down home, front porch feel and make “House of Sticks” a worthwhile intimate gesture. They would fit well beside the likes of Espers, Festival and Marissa Nadler. Of course it made me homesick for some Charalambides. 4/10 -- B. Miles (20 May, 2009)