Two Gallants - Steady Rollin'

Here The Two Gallants tackle a classic genre, with gravely vocals and a mouth-organ conjuring images of small-town USA. The result from this unfamiliar pair is wondrously self-assured. Catchy titles like Don't Want No Woman Who Stays Out All Night Long could have been in danger of parodying a style rather than contributing to it but instead The Two Gallants nail this sound to the point of risking something else. Unless individuality prevails they risk being lost in the milieu of bands peddling the same approach. Yet, accomplished musicianship stimulated by fresh enthusiasm makes this a success. Here's hoping they have the diversity to survive. [Jess Chilton]