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Elly Roberts reviews
Saddle Creek Europe
- September 2007
- Rating: 10/10
Some might say that Californian childhood buddies Adam Stephens and Tyson Vogel and the alt-folk equivalent of The White Stripes singer/guitarist and drummer.
Not that Vogel drums quite Meg White of course. If they donned pearly king andqueen garb they might get noticed. Instead, on their eponymously titled thirdalbum theyre left to unleash a dazzling assortment of fused genres folk, punkand blues.
Their unique mix begins with a edgey rolling lament, which is typical of theiraccesible Americana. The intro, a guitar opens gently, gradually building on afunky bass and stylish shifting drums by Vogel. Stephens sings in an almostchildlike manner, though it all blends perfectly as the song rises and dropsbeautifully to its aching end.
A thumping bass intro precursors a rugged, sharp and undulating folk-rockblast of Miss Meri with Stephenss vocals reaching their most angst-riddenbest. Yet another gentle start for for the Springsteen-Dylan like sparsness ofThe Hand.. complete with razor sharp harmonica. It then follows a similarundulating path.
They hit a major high on the two standout tracks Trembling Of The Roseand Ribbons Round My Tongue. On the former, Stephens tempers his jaggededge style for a more disciplined approach on one of the most melancholic gemsof 2007. Its simple stuff tender acoustic guitar, and violin touching everyheart string available.
On latter, the harmonicas back for the carvernous sound of Ribbons Round MyTongue, thereafter, its gentle electric strumming, and yes, Stephens over-stretchedvoice going into overdrive magnificent. The Boss would be proud of this one.The pace quickens for Despite What Youve Been Told. Guitar and thumpingstick blasts, bringing out their more rockier edge, without losing their discipline.
Its tight, but loose enough to make an impact as it goes into the finale. Touchingon Devendra Banharts territory, the sparsest song here Fly Low Carrion Crowjuxtaposes fabulously with its predecessor. The simple instrumentation and vocalsadd real atmosphere.
Rocking out, with a near Zeppelin/White Stripes intensity, we get rolling drumsand crunching guitars, but yet, again, Stephens doesnt go too far.
Must have album.
Weblink:twogallants.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. The Deader
2. Miss Meri
3. The Hand That Held Me Down
4. Trembling Of The Rose
5. Reflections Of The Marionette
6. Ribbons Round My Tongue
7. Despite What Youve Been Told
8. Fly Low Carrion Crow
9. My Babys Gone
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.