T Sisters

Enjoying the harmonies of the Tietjen sisters begs the question: “What would Alison Krauss sound like if she was flanked by two singing sisters?” The self-titled, second full-length from Oakland’s T Sisters retains the harmony-heavy folk-Americana stylings that have garnered the group rave live reviews, while sparking a wider appeal through more sophisticated songwriting. The band has grown to six, adding lead guitar/mandolin, double bass and drums to the sisters—Chloe (vocals), Erika (vocals/guitar) and Rachel (vocals/guitar/banjo). But at its core are the seamless three-part vocal harmonies, and the 10-song disc includes multiple songs penned by each of them. On the Celtic-flavored “Come Back Down,” Erika rejoices in romance: “Of the lovers I have entertained, You hit upon a string/Of a song that I never knew I had to sing.” Meanwhile, Rachel’s contemplative, a capella “So It Goes” is a showcase for the trio’s vocals that helps us cope with a world in which “the wars rage on/all the blood and all the pain/and the song plays on.” T Sisters perform Sunday, Jan. 29, at Sierra Nevada Big Room.