The Horrible CrowesElsie
SideOneDummy Records [2011]
Fire Note Says: Brian Fallon from Gaslight Anthem tries a different tempo on his new side project The Horrible Crowes.
Album Review:
Side projects are always interesting beasts and The Horrible Crowes fronted by Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem fame is no different. The debut record, Elsie, features Fallon front and center vocally, while also playing piano and percussion, while his long time friend and Gaslight guitar tech, Ian Perkins, covers guitar, bass and slide guitar. The album by nature is a grower, as it is a more mellow and
burning affair that works with Fallon's Springsteen like croon. That doesn't mean that there are not some hand clappers and upbeat moments, like the hum along start of "Behold The Hurricane" that continues a nice rhythm all the way through. "Mary Ann" is a rambunctious foot stomper that lets Fallon let out his howl, while loud crashing cymbals and guitars roll. The rest of Elsie falls between quiet storytellers like "Cherry Blossoms" and tracks such as "I Witnessed A Crime", that has Fallon trying on a little swagger to his voice much like Greg Dulli (Afghan Whigs). The end result is a record that may not grab the masses but should entertain Gaslight fans because Fallon has such a commanding presence. The Horrible Crowes debut is a project that is worth checking out, as it shows promise moving forward and being the perfect outlet for the talented Brian Fallon to do something a little different from time to time!Key Tracks: "Behold The Hurricane", "Black Betty & The Moon", "Mary Ann"
Bands With Similar Fire:
Tom Waits
The Twilight Singers
Bruce Springsteen
The Horrible Crowes Website
The Horrible Crowes Facebook
SideOneDummy Records
-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony
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