Two Gallants – We Are Undone
4.5/5
San Francisco duo Two Gallants have been expanding the sounds and abilities of their respective instruments (Adam Stephens on guitar, harmonica, keyboards and vocals; Tyson Vogel on drums, guitars and backup vocals) for the past 14 years. We Are Undone, the band’s fifth studio album, is no exception; in fact, Stephens and Vogel have harnessed their talent and released some of their best work to date.
Opening with a distant, looming folk/blues guitar introduction, the title track eventually slams into Two Gallant fashion on We Are Undone with Stephens’ melodic guitar part and Vogel making sure to fill in the cracks with his drumming.
Making sure not to let down the energy, Incidental takes a catchy hook and turns it into a harsh, rock song. Stephens’ signature sound has kept consistent throughout his career with his raw vocals bleeding across the distorted blues-guitar riffs. “Fools Like Us“ is no exception, with a head-banging solo and riff placed firmly in the middle of the track.
“Invitation to a Funeral” shifts gears into a dramatic and unfiltered piano march introduction. The ballad eventually heightens into an explosive vocal performance from Stephens. “My Man Go” follows similar fashion, with the lead singer demonstrating his rough, yet polished vocal abilities for the albums next ballad.
The drumming of Tyson Vogel adds texture to the album, substituting harmony for rhythm and percussive melody in “Some Trouble”. On the other end of his talent spectrum, “Katy Kruelly” showcases the drummer’s harmonizing guitar playing and supporting vocals for the acoustic heartbreak song.
“Murder the Season/The Age Nocturne” slowly regains the initial grittiness and fiery guitar/drum duo sound of Two Gallants. Elements of hard rock and metal find their way into the song’s melody and electrifying guitar riff.
Ending the album with a surprising amount of gracefully expressed emotion, “There Is So Much I Don’t Know” has Stephens on the piano once again, transferring his melodic guitar playing onto the ivory keys.
We Are Undone captures the San-Fran duo at their best; even after 14 years and five albums, the band is able to create unique, blusterous music that is both current and traditional.
Listen to the entire album via the New York Times.
