The first time I listened to the neo-traditional folk duo, the Milk Carton Kids, I was confused. When I heard the acoustic guitar and soft vocals, I asked myself, “why would anybody listen to this?” However, the haunting croon of these two guys stuck with me, so I listened more and started to enjoy it.

Before I tell you why they should be more popular, I think it helps to examine what makes a musician and their music popular. Let’s take a look at the best selling album of all time, Thriller by Michael Jackson. One characteristic of pop music represented in Thriller is that the music doesn’t change much throughout the song. Rarely are there key changes or unique changes in the verses or chorus. For instance,“Billie Jean” is structured like this: verse, bridge, chorus, verse, verse, bridge, chorus, chorus, and outro. This has simple repeating parts, making it catchy. Another characteristic is that pop stars have charisma; Jackson’s dance moves, outfits, personal life, and aura make his music more interesting and exciting. For example, he has many famous dance moves such as the anti-gravity lean, the spin, and the famous moonwalk that have had a significant impact on pop culture. 

So why aren’t the Milk Carton Kids popular? In contrast to Michael Jackson, their music is complex, and their melodies and lyrics are often not easy to hum and repeat. One example of this is “One More for the Road” from their 2018 record All the Things that I Did and All the Things That I Didn’t Do. The long instrumentals and unusual structure make it less catchy, so it doesn’t appeal to the masses. However, though it may take some effort to find, there is a certain beauty in their instrumentals and sparse but meaningful lyrics. Another reason for their lack of popularity is their seeming lack of charisma. Two guys with acoustic guitars wearing suits don’t look that appealing and don’t have the charm of a pop star like Michael Jackson. In fact, they look like boring, normal dudes. However, on stage they are so funny. Their live album includes all of their comedy segments which produce laugh out loud moments even when listening in the car. They are witty and bounce off each other well, making them very likeable, but you have to listen to their dialogue to understand it. 

The Milk Carton Kids lyricism sets them apart. Their lyrics, often delivered in vocal harmony, have a lot of depth and emotion. One of my favorite lyrics is from the title track on their most recent album, I Only See the Moon: 

“Far away from prying eyes

I cry, how I cry for you

A broken croon in solitude

I only see the moon”

These lyrics are simple yet powerful and evoke strong emotions. The personification of eyes as “prying” shows how the singer feels as though he can’t cry around people as they scrutinize him. The repetition of “I cry” emphasizes the sadness he is feeling while using it also as a cry for the one he loves. The vocabulary is amazing, especially “croon” because it brings in an element of singing that adds depth to his cry. The last line shows how alone he feels without his lover. However, this is just my interpretation. The thing about their lyrics is that they can be interpreted in many different ways.

I would highly recommend I Only See the Moon, as it is their most mature and best album. It feels like you are with them as they play their guitars, inviting you to get lost in the music. Highlights of the record include “Star Shine,” an interesting take on youthful love, “When You’re Gone,” a poignant banjo track, and “North Country Ride,” a haunting and yet comforting song. The record was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Folk Album of the Year where it lost to the Joni Mitchell live album (a robbery, the Mitchell record has no new material on it!) While it is unlikely that the Milk Carton Kids will reach mainstream popularity, I think people should give them an honest chance. Now is a better time than ever because of easy access through streaming services and social media. They will likely never be on the radio, but now there are other options. People should explore music more widely in general and move beyond the more typical formulas, so they can have a broader view of the world and the people in it. In a world of divisions and animosity, I believe that music can and should be a common ground where people can recognize and respect each other’s humanity.