Listening to The Milk Carton Kids on an album is one thing; watching the band work its magic live is another. This performance of "Hope of a Lifetime," the opening song on The Ash & Clay, was filmed at the Folk Alliance conference in Toronto. With its elegantly phrased messages about growth and the complexity of progress, "Hope of a Lifetime" moves delicately and thoughtfully.
Kenneth Pattengale's lead guitar lines seem to trot over hills toward some ultimate promise — falling back here and there before continuing on. All the while, his musical partner, Joey Ryan, sings in a sweet and supportive falsetto that helps amplify the obvious comparisons to Simon & Garfunkel.
Still, there's nothing derivative about "Hope of a Lifetime." These guys are an entity unto themselves, and they've only just begun to hit their stride.
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