Album Review: Two Gallants - We Are Undone

At the NY Times Press Play site, I encountered a rather entertaining duo, Two Gallants, through their latest album: We Are Undone. Frontman Adam Stephens plays a wicked guitar while drummer and boyhood friend, Tyson Vogel, provides percussion balance. You may think the group is a Black Keys knock off, but they've been performing as a duo for the past decade. The guitar in the opening title track grabbed my attention and the mid-jam in the second song, Incidental, kept it.  Fools Like Us has a catchy melody; Invitation To The Funeral, the best vocals; and My Man Go, my favorite track. The last song, There’s So Much I Don’t Know focuses on Stephens' view that his hometown of San Francisco has lost some identity. Pair with a local brewery that has retained it's identity: 21st Amendment. Cheers.

Album Review: The Vespers - Sisters and Brothers

It's been a long time since I first heard The Vespers when they opened a show for Cadillac Sky. The young quartet has just released their third album, Sisters and Brothers - which I listened to a Brite Revolution.The title is relevant since the band is comprised of two pairs of siblings - the Cryar sisters and Jones brothers.  The band started out as a roots folk band with some bluegrass; but their latest expands into more of a rock-pop sound. A perfect example is "Cynical Soul" with it's acoustic instruments, but pop melodies. I like how the album begins, with the slow opening in "Break the Cycle" and "Signs" has a rockin' Black Keys feel. I suspect one power-pop song that will be popular is "You Leave Me" - but for my tastes - I like the old Vespers sound. Cheers.

Album Review: The Devil Makes Three - I"m A Stranger Here

Hard to believe, but the Americana blues outfit, The Devil Makes Three is out with their fourth album, I’m a Stranger Here, produced by Buddy Miller and recorded at Dan Auerbach’s (The Black Keys) Easy Eye Sound in Nashville. That's a good start. The trio of guitarist/frontman Pete Bernhard, stand-up bassist Lucia Turino, and guitarist Cooper McBean meld many genres into a rally interesting sound. From Stranger to Goodbye Old Friend, this release is full of darkness and sorrow; reflecting the band's maturity; but the compositions are excellent. Love this release. Favorite track is A Moments Rest; love the banjo picking and strings. There is also a guest appearance by The Preservation Hall Jazz Band as they lend a hand in the gospel laced Forty Days. Pair with their hometown brewery Whetstone Station Brewery from Brattleboro Vermont. Cheers.

Album Review: Graham Colton - Lonely Ones

One of the regular shows I try to catch at Jammin' Java, my local music joint, is Graham Colton. Colton always attracts a good crowd and can guarantee an entertaining performance every show. He's back on tour (February 23rd at J.J.) in support of his just released CD, Lonely Ones. I purchased the full release yesterday and after listening for the entire day see that this former singer-songwriter has transitioned to a larger sound. Think of the psychedelic orchestration of The Black Keys paired with soft melodies of previous Colton releasess. The first track Mixed Up is where I got the Black Keys reference, and it continues with the next track, Born To Raise Hell, an interesting story of a serial killer - wrapped in many la la las. Hands Untied showcases both the larger sound balanced with a catchy melody that continues with the rest of the release. Taking a detour from my alt-country ways, I really enjoyed this CD - nice job Graham. Been pairing with a big Cabernet Franc from CrossKeys Vineyards & Estates. Cheers.