The Handsome Family are a husband and wife duo that tests your ability to maintain a high interest level ... or even moderately active.  There are relatively quiet acts that, through lyrics or approach, will keep the listener with the artist through three or even five minutes of song.  Bob Dylan, Bright Eyes, Joan Baez and Jose Gonzalez come to mind.  The Handsome Family's Brett Sparks has a very soothing voice but unfortunately, after about four songs, the record becomes monotonous with its starkness and simplicity.  If one wasn't paying attention, one might believe that there is an epic sixteen minute tune to start the album because the early songs sound very similar.  Only until the engaging "Our Blue Sky" does the tempo pick up a little and energy is restored, only for the record to end soon after.  It's too bad that the album does not contain more variety like "Our Blue Sky," for it could have saved this release from being a long hohum snore.  Apparently the Handsome Family are quite something live, so maybe that is where people should spend their time.