Two Gallants - The Bloom and the Blight (29/10/2012)
When you hear of two-piece bands you often look to The Black Keys, The White Stripes and Death from Above 1979 but Two Gallants could not be any more different and provide a completely different feel with a thunderous punch. The garage-rock San Franciscan outfit have released their fourth studio album, The Bloom and the Blight and boy, does it have an impact. Halcyon Days is a curb-stomper of an opener, slowly building with soft guitar hooks and eventually leaving you stunned with bellowing drums. Despite being a two-piece, never does the mix sound empty or lacking, the perfect usage of guitar and vocals along with the drums satisfies the ears.
A smooth change of pace, Broken Eyes draws inspiration from Bob Dylan, a soft acoustic track with Dylan-esque harmonica playing. The vocal harmonies add a certain sweetness and steers far from being an entirely country song. Singer Adam Stephens wails of a relationship that’ll last for years to come, although the space between them may be long and far, he’ll come back to her. A sweet song from what first appeared to be a harsh garage-y LP.
Decay flaunts new a new avenue of instrumentation with cellos, soft synth and string sections and my does it work for Stephens’ vocals. Although it starts off a song ballad, contrasting overdriven guitar and drum hits bring a whole new dynamic to the piece. The only negative I could pull from this track is in the mixing, in that the vocals are far too soft during the verses in which you cannot pick some lyrics at times.
Pulling out their musical country roots, Willie, is a simple ditty completed with organs, crusty guitar and drums with a lovingly addictive vocal melody. This really paints the picture of a drunken Californian bar singing along arm in arm to Willie, actually I’d really like a beer.. hah. Sunday Souvenirs showcasing battling vocal melodies, soft piano and a cracking modern blues feel. The acoustic guitar playing simplistic chords also mimics the vocal harmony with occasional wandering notes, reinforcing the catchy vocal melody throughout the verses.
First impressions left me thinking that Two Gallants were a simple overdriven guitar and drums duo, but The Bloom and the Blight displayed their diversity with innocently soft acoustic tracks, which was a beautiful surprise. A welcoming new release that I highly suggest you give your ears the treat of listening to.
Benjamin Filer
A smooth change of pace, Broken Eyes draws inspiration from Bob Dylan, a soft acoustic track with Dylan-esque harmonica playing. The vocal harmonies add a certain sweetness and steers far from being an entirely country song. Singer Adam Stephens wails of a relationship that’ll last for years to come, although the space between them may be long and far, he’ll come back to her. A sweet song from what first appeared to be a harsh garage-y LP.
Decay flaunts new a new avenue of instrumentation with cellos, soft synth and string sections and my does it work for Stephens’ vocals. Although it starts off a song ballad, contrasting overdriven guitar and drum hits bring a whole new dynamic to the piece. The only negative I could pull from this track is in the mixing, in that the vocals are far too soft during the verses in which you cannot pick some lyrics at times.
Pulling out their musical country roots, Willie, is a simple ditty completed with organs, crusty guitar and drums with a lovingly addictive vocal melody. This really paints the picture of a drunken Californian bar singing along arm in arm to Willie, actually I’d really like a beer.. hah. Sunday Souvenirs showcasing battling vocal melodies, soft piano and a cracking modern blues feel. The acoustic guitar playing simplistic chords also mimics the vocal harmony with occasional wandering notes, reinforcing the catchy vocal melody throughout the verses.
First impressions left me thinking that Two Gallants were a simple overdriven guitar and drums duo, but The Bloom and the Blight displayed their diversity with innocently soft acoustic tracks, which was a beautiful surprise. A welcoming new release that I highly suggest you give your ears the treat of listening to.
Benjamin Filer