On Doomed Lovers, Twin Temple's occultic aesthetic goes widescreen

Far from being contradictory bedfellows, those two elements feel like a natural fit, since both thrive on ideas of forbidden pleasures and adolescent rebellion. On Doomed Lovers, though, married duo Alexandra and Zachary James seem less interested in raising hell than in breaking hearts, exploring a loose concept of ill-fated romance in all its tropes, this time with a 37-piece orchestra in tow. Doomed Lovers' tracklisting reads like a tawdry procession of schlocky B-movie titles. Songs like "Possessed", "I Want Blood", and "Love You to Death" map out an increasingly unhealthy parade from desire to obsession, whereas “Haunt Me” and “There’s Something In The Walls” focus on the supernatural in the bedroom, where, frankly, the Jameses make it feel right at home. Aided by Shooter Jennings’ grand production, recorded at Hollywood’s Sunset Sound, Doomed Lovers' songs are stacked with an authentic, vintage feel. But by the time the closing pair of“Monster” and “Nothing Matters” arrive, the honeymoon takes a particularly nasty musical turn, soaked in death and satanic doo-wop vibes. Twin Temple’s true appeal lies in their straight-faced delivery. Alexandra’s vocals are evocative of 1950s ...