By Francesca Beltran
Beautiful is the word to describe Tall Tales Vol.1, American Gospel’s debut album.
While listening to the songs, written in the form of stories, one can’t help but lie in bed, close your eyes and give yourself to that beautiful voice and those mellow sounds. However, this is not the regular chill album, without being able to put my finger on it, I can only say there issomething truly unique about this multi genre musical project.
The sound, which sometimes reminded me of Band Of Horses (particularly in ‘Hunting Boar’), soon proved to be genuine; and although some songs feel a little predictable, most of them soon transform themselves showing their true nature and leaving the listener pleasantly surprised.
‘Forget Not Yet’ for example, at first stroke me as another love song to then transport me into a totally melancholic state of mind that I was not expecting; the kind of sad feeling you actually enjoy. Other personal favorites are ‘Better Off’, ‘Geronimo’ and ‘I’ll Never Let You Go’.The lyrics, written in first person, evoke a feeling of pain and loss with an optimistic undertone that gives the whole album its wistful character.
American Gospel is the solo project of The Republic of Wolves’ guitarist/singer Gregg DellaRocca. In addition to writing the entire album and playing most of the instruments, he was also in charge of the production work. Moreover, Heoil painted the album’s artwork, as well as a series of prints that correspond to a few of the stories on the album, embracing a complete DIY method.
DellaRocca has been writing, recording and playing for over eleven years. In 2009 he found success with The Republic of Wolves where, aside from writing, he also handled the production and recording aspects of their debut EP His Old Branches.
Tall Tales Vol. 1will be released on May 15th and will be available for physical purchase, as well as digitally on iTunes and BandCamp. It can also be pre-ordered online through http://www.American-Gospel.com. The CD comes with two bonus alternative versions and the first 80 pre-orders will receive hand written lyrics.
Track Listing:
01. I Know
02. Bayonet
03. The Hanged Man
04. Say
05. Hunting Boar
06. The Woods
07. The Falling Feeling
08. Better Off
09. Forget Not Yet
10. I’ll Never Let You Go
11. World Lines
12. Geronimo
Posted on April 25, 2012 by secretsoundshop
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