The Glorytellers - S/T [Southern Records - 2008]This is a new American folk & stripped-down blues/ rock project from Geoff Farina(Karate, Secret Stars) that brings to mind a more wordy and serious take on some of Jonathan Richman work, who’s know to most for his comic/tragic chorus work on the soundtrack for Farrelly brothers There’s Something About Mary. Furthering the Richman connection of course both Jonathan Richman & Geoff Farina come from the Boston area & theres even the odd twist of Latin and Spanish styling throw in here too,which Richman has used in the past. But this is far from copy book stuff- The Glorytellers have very much their own vision and personality. The songs are mainly story based with Farina distinctive voice weaving out wordy and clever lyrics, which more often than not are fairly bleak and cynical, but this never results in being too gloomy or morose as the musical pace is kept up-beat, often tuneful and foot taping, at times when it does swoop down into more sombre territory it never stays there too long. Musically it’s kept fairly stripped down through-out with acoustic/electric guitars and drum work, thats always vibrate and pacey never resulting to slow strums or mumblings over acoustic pickings. A mighty fine and intelligent singer song writer album that focusing in on up-beat folk & stripped down blues/rock with hints of Latin and Spanish heat here and there, that’s full of clever and thought provoking lyrics. Roger Batty
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