Two Gallants - 'Steady Rollin' (Saddle Creek) Released 27/03/06

Edited down heavily from its sprawling full version, ‘Steady Rollin’ is a jaw-dropingly brilliant, lilting gem courtesy of the quite magnificent Two Gallants. Intrinsically American and an acoustic driven, plaintive tune, its strength lies in the powerful weather-worn delivery of front man Adam Stephens - incredibly affecting and gritty despite his unfeasibly young years. Juxtaposing the heartening music, it’s actually quite a dark perverse tale built around lines like “I shot my wife today, dropped her body in the Frisco bay, I had no choice it was the only way, debts coming and I’m still running.” Powerful stuff indeed. The slow brooding country ballad ‘Dappens’ and the feisty  ‘Don’t Want No Woman Who Stays Out All Night Long’ also impress.  Really if you haven’t got into this band yet, do it now.