Two Gallants
We Are Undone
ATO
Feb 05, 2015 Web Exclusive
With their new album We Are Undone, Two Gallants have found a method that complements the bombastic, torn-up country immediacy that earned the band initial attention, as well as the pair’s knack for songwriting that has steadily grown over the last 10 years. Both sides of the band merge here, which can be credited to an evident musical maturity and the help of engineer Karl Derfler (Roky Erikson, Tom Waits) whose relatively transparent production allows these songs to shine.
Songs “Fools Like Us” and the title track fall back on the San Francisco duo’s early work: throw-down roots songs strung up on wailing guitar strings and booming drums. On the B-side, “Heartbreakdown” and closer “There’s So Much I Don’t Know” smolder with a focused tension and a honed songwriting grace. Throughout the album, Adam Stephens sings with an expressive tone of desperation that ranges from effortless and tuneful on “Katy Kruelly” to a dominating distorted howl in full overdrive mode. Tyson Vogel’s drum work also deserves attention for matching his childhood friend’s dynamic performances. For two guys that have been playing together for over 20 years, they manage to retain their band’s sound on We Are Undone while also pushing it forward. (www.twogallants.com)
Author rating: 6.5/10
Average reader rating: 6/10
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5:47am
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