Review: Gallus – The Sparta Tapes

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Gallus –The Sparta Tapes (Independent)‘Gallus’ is an old Scottish slang word, which has afew meanings, depending where and how it’s used. In essence it meansmischievous, but can vary from a wee bit cheeky to downright menacing. Thequestion is: where do Gallus the band come on the scale of rascalism? They’recertainly no shrinking violets, and on their debut offering, they fuse rock andAmericana in a genuinely refreshing way. They groove like the best cosmiccountry bands of the past, but they habitually mix their electric guitars highand feisty. They open with “Trash Can Love”, which shares a vibe with DavidCrosby’s “If I Could Only Remember My Name”. That’s a very good thing, andalthough it’s not a feel they recreate too often, there’re still plenty of goodthings happening.
Main man Chris Kelly spent six years writing thesongs on “The Sparta Tapes” and then found a rock band to play them. He chosewell; the balance created suits the material very well, and they’ve managed to fashiona collection that’s both abrasive and comforting. Apart from the first track, sterlingmaterial is plentiful; “Momentin Time” is literate and clever, not unlike TV Smith frontingWilco and “Down to My Level”and “Waiting for the Fire”are anthemic but never bombastic or pretentious. At their most grand they’rereminiscent of an American Big Country – in their vital, early days – and whenthey strip back their songs and hold back on the electricity (see “Single Malt Whisky”), they’realmost “Nebraska” intense. If there’s any criticism to be laid at their door,then perhaps the production is a little back-to-basics, but it’s really not aproblem and it doesn’t detract from what is essentially a fine debut.www.facebook.com/gallusmusicwww.gallusmusic.bandcamp.comRob F.