What The Toll Tells

Pure poetry. Like the White Stripes but a thousand times better. Buy it.

This is another good record from the 2GS. If you like Grunge, this is the next best thing. Buy it.

I saw them perform tracks from this album live in leeds a couple of years back and the energy that these lads put into a performance it outstanding. So what is this music like, well its americana with hints of blues, bluegrass, country and it pitches from light and shade to snarling and raucus. The CD captures al of that energy and pace and although the post production is low-fi that actual sound quality is top notch with bitting treble guitar licks and the attack and decay of notes hard hitting and then long ringing. More talented than White Stripes and more energy than Led Zep on a good day with more bite and sour tones than Dylan sucking a lemon, this is in my all time top 10 albums. So if you like energy in your music and pathos in your lyric...this has to be for you. Turn up the stereo, poor yourself a glass of bourbon and be prepared to be blown away.

Any music lover will know that Americana was trauled and re-trauled to great success by The Band [Bob Dylan's band]. Conjuring up all those images of the deep south might seem a bit old hat now but Two Gallants have more bristle than a stiff brush and carry it off well.'Las Cruces Jail'is a shameless soundtrack to a spaghetti western, but 'Steady Rollin', 'Long Summer Day' and 'The Prodigal Son', harp back but still manage to remain as relevant as Bright Eyes' political rambling.Whereas Soledad Brothers manage to stay out there in their own league, this bluesy act somehow crosses over into the arty domain of compatriots such as The Strokes or Yeah Yeah Yeahs, without ever sounding all New Yorker chic. The NME jumping on board might help this image but Two Gallants can stand alone without press and I imagine they would sell records.Stand out tracks: Las Cruces Jail, Long Summer Day, Age Of Assasins

I must admit, this is probably the most modern album I have bought for years and it was on high recommendation of a friend. From the first to the last song, it is everything great about music. It transcends time, a record like this. Everything good about highway men like Cash, Petty and Cave, is offered in abundence. These boys are, in my opinion, far superior muscially than the White Stripes (easy comparision in terms of line-up) and their lyrics feel deep and real unlike a lot of flavour-of-the-month releases we've been privy to this year. I love the structures, from southern ballards to high tempo punk, this is a truly beautiful, mature piece of music. Get on the bandwagon and ride it baby, ride it all the way home!

If you like early blues, Woody Guthrie, Johnny Cash, the novels of Cormac McCarthy and the films of Sam Peckinpah, you'll love the Two Gallants, particularly this album. In fact, the first track on this album could be the soundtrack to the film of Blood Meridian that Sam Peckinpah will one day come back from the grave to direct. They're a great band. I saw them live at the Scala in London, though not 'very exclusively' sadly. The first album is also very good but has more of an early Tom Waits melancholic feel to it (including the great line "If liquor's a lover, then you know I'm a whore"). These guys are the real deal.

A complex listen that embraces a melancholic melange of melody, sheer songcraft and an inventive brilliance that astonishes, captivates and charms through its honest lo-fi songs.My only sadness was that this cd had to end.Recommended without reservation.

No problems with the content of the album, but this vinyl edition isn't the best. The cheaply made packaging is quite flimsy, and there's a ton of mistakes on the Lyrics Sheet. But if that doesn't bother you I recommend.