Two musicians from other bands get together and cut an album in someone??s house. We??ve heard the story before but rarely are the members as successful as the two guys who make up Fiction Family. Jon Foreman's and Sean Watkins's new project is releasing their first album, the self-titled "Fiction Family," this January in what is easily one of the most exciting records of 2009.

Jon Foreman is best known as the leader of Switchfoot. But to fans, his solo work proves he is capable of doing more than dominating Christian rock. Switchfoot is one of the biggest bands on the Christian music scene, but Foreman wasn??t content with just churning out pop-rock hits like "Dare You to Move." His solo work reveals a more sensitive singer-songwriter capable of producing beautiful acoustic music. "Fiction Family" is most likely going to sound more like Foreman's "Seasons" EP than Switchfoot's huge rock sound.

Watkins may be the less-known of the duo, but his work in Nickel Creek has earned him a dedicated following nonetheless. This pint-sized guitarist is not only known as one of the best flatpickers in modern bluegrass, but he has also written some of Nickel Creek's most well-known songs and established a successful solo career. Songs like "Speak" and "Somebody More Like You" demonstrate his songwriting prowess and offer a preview of what we can expect from "Fiction Family."

"Fiction Family" promises to be a gem. Two singer-songwriter virtuosos can??t go wrong, as their first single "When She's Near" proves. Foreman and Watkins, already leaders in other genres, have taken a bold step in exploring new territory, and we??re sure to be entertained by the results. "Fiction Family" is out Jan. 20, and the duo is playing at the Belcourt on Jan. 30.