Two Gallants

Two Gallants | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 25, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Saddle Creek
• ASIN: B000UGG3LO
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,038 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It was only a matter of time before San Francisco natives Adam Stephens (vocals, harmonica, guitar) and Tyson Vogel (drums, vocals) cemented a top-tier spot in the pantheon of Americana. With their fittingly eponymous record, they've at last fully realized the potential hinted strongly at in The Throes, What the Toll Tells, and The Scenery of Farewell EP. If these past records frequently evoke the dusty traditions of folk and punk--train-riding hobos, carefree wanderlust, buried and violent secrets--Two Gallants only hones this focus. True, the album regularly relapses into a similarity of key, tempo, rhythm, and interval: "Miss Meri," "The Hand that Held You Down," "Trembling of the Rose," and "Reflections of a Marionette," for example, play like an extended medley of variations on a single musical theme. But songs like "The Deader" and the rough, almost impressionistic "My Baby's Gone" exude singularly grabbing charisma. Stephens' every next vocal melody grittily evokes lament after tragic lament, and Vogel's drumming bursts forth in burp-gun flurries, very nearly melodic in its driven acrobatics. In all, Two Gallants' indelible storytelling marks one the year's most unapologetically traditional--and ultimately unforgettable--albums. --Jason Kirk

Product Description

Childhood friends since age five, Adam Stephens and Tyson Vogel have sustained longevity that few people, let alone band members, can claim. Merging intelligent lyrics that often integrate historical references and human experiences beyond their own familiarity, they captivate listeners with their unique breed of folk, punk, and blues. Adam's raw melodies and razor sharp vocals deliver haunting, dirgy poetics amidst Tyson's synergistic drumming style and striking harmonies, further defining Two Gallants' sound.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Powerful third CD of punchy, intense country-blues-folk-punk, October 11, 2007

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Two Gallants (Audio CD)

The Two Gallants third full-length CD in just over three years continues to mine the percussive drums-guitar-and-voice country-punk of their earlier works, but with an expanded emphasis on dynamics and a step up from the lo-fi production of their debut. Adam Stephens continues to rough out pain and anguish with his vocals, with Tyson Vogel propels most of the tracks with his insistent drumming. The album's highlights are in its contrasts: Stephens weary rasp set to gently picked acoustic guitar and fiddle, languid electric guitar and Dylanesque harmonica underpinned by driving beats, and poetic lyrics that cough up superb lines like "And I've been wondering just who misplaced my soul / there's pockets in my holes."

The opening "The Dreader" has a punch-drunk cadence and sing-song melody that's halfway between a carnival barker's spiel and a sea shanty, fitting for a lyric of a pining sailor who returns home to find his relationship extinguished. The entire album reads of broken hearts and bitter pills, but unlike the self-pity and tears of power pop anguish, Two Gallants' brand is more Catholic and caustic. The gravelly crawl of "Trembling of the Rose" wallows amid acoustic guitar and fiddle with the lyric "So in the hour of my demise / I'll recall your empty eyes / You know I died / The day you set me free," and "Despite What You've Been Told" provides a dose of self-flagellation with "I drag my mind through sheets of shame / Blame myself, forgive the game / That's how we deal with boys like me."

"Fly Low Carrion Crow" finds Stephens vocal dropped to a low, hoarse whisper as he contemplates an eternity of painful memories; the atmospheric backing track of acoustic guitar, cymbals and shards of feedback is particularly striking. Their new songs aren't quite as lengthy as earlier works (the average track here is about five minutes), but they're still wordy and chock-full of imagery. The songs make strong individual impressions, but strung together at album length, they get a bit exhausting. Then again, when your heart's been dragged around, too much may still not be enough. [©2007 hyperbolium dot com]

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Music, February 23, 2011

By 

Rachel - See all my reviews

This review is from: Two Gallants (Audio CD)

I bought this because I was recommended it by last.fm. I am so glad I did. The lead singer's raspy voice is simply perfect. Give this album a listen.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome album., March 10, 2010

By 

Euph0ric13 "E13" (Florida) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Two Gallants (Audio CD)

I already had some of Two Gallants work, so I knew I would enjoy this album. I saw them live a few years back and they blew my socks off. This is a great album and I hope they continue to release such amazing music.