Two Gallants have a new one - that would be "The Bloom And The Blight" on Ato Records. It's a screamy - but not in a bad way - maybe they're just earnest. Anyway, it's an intense folk duo out of the Bay Area from Adam Stephens and Tyson Vogel who started playing together when they were 12 and this is their sixth album. The more I hear this one, the worse I feel about missing them in Santa Barbara recently. It's big voices, big guitars, big ideas - big deal? Pretty much - this one is a lock to make the year end list and on the testosterone driven anthem, "My Love Won't Wait," the lady in question - if found in a serenade situation - would be left with two options: Call the cops or melt straight away and sigh, "Come on in, you big galoot." Then there's "Broken Eyes," the soulful ballad and "Willie" is an folk rock rave-up. All these cool Americana, folk rock acts such as the Head & the Heart, Shovels & Rope, the Lumineers, Mumford & Sons - and all the rest? Here's another.
