If not because of their music — a winning combination of back-porch Americana and classic pop — then Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan have become one of Los Angeles’ most dynamic duos on pure charisma. The twosome has become a Hotel Cafe favorite with its poignant blend of musical storytelling built from the simplest of elements: two voices and two acoustic guitars. This week, Pattengale and Ryan take the next step — they’re adopting a band name, the Milk Carton Kids, and releasing a live album “Retrospect.” They’re selling physical copies of the album at the show, but giving away the digital version, and warm-and-fuzzies don’t come any cheaper. In keeping with “Retrospect’s” living-room vibe, the Kids are celebrating the release by playing two seated shows at their Cahuenga Boulevard haunt on Sunday, a prelude to a 40-date tour with Joe Purdy.
||| Download: “Laredo” or get all 14 tracks on “Retrospect.”
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||| Live: The Milk Carton Kids play shows at 7 and 9 p.m. on Sunday at the Hotel Cafe.
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I can’t speak more highly about this album. The fucked up part is, these guys actually live up to their recordings every single show. Actually, I think they’ve probably had a harder time making their recordings live up to them live. Anyway, I love it.