Lonesome Day Records (label)
13 October 2014 (released)
15 September 2014
Girls Guns and Glory are a Boston four-piece with a love for rock 'n roll - and this is their fifth album. Lead singer Ward Hayden has at times a vocal reminiscent of the UK's Teddy Thompson, and here the band are exploring a more rootsy feel with elements of country, meaning some of the material sounds like Thompson too. That's particularly true on the soulful One of These Days and the more jolly opener All The Way Up To Heaven.
The band have been together for sometime, playing live extensively across the States - and the tightness of sound has been captured in the studio, with Paul Dilley's guitar and piano working impressively alongside the drums of Josh Kiggans and guitar and banjo from Chris Hersch. The production also looks to get that live feel, with former Steve Earle producer Eric Ambel at the helm.
The record has been put together over the last two years, and includes a couple of tracks that have been around the band for a while - the singalong rock n'roll of Shake Like Jello and the slowly building excellent UUU. Hayden says C'Mon Honey is his favourite song on the album - and the punkish feel points to a band with an obvious love of bands like The Ramones.
The band are heading to the UK with Sarah Borges this autumn - and this new album is bound to provide some great live moments, such as the groove of Built For Speed. But Girls Guns and Glory also do tenderness - with the wonderful closer It's Your Choice and Centralia PA, about the band's Northeast roots.
October tour dates with Sarah Borges:
16th - The Maze, Nottingham
17th - Tingewick Village Hall (Bucks)
18th - The Cluny 2, Newcastle
19th - The Railway, Winchester
20th - The Prince Albert, Brighton
21st - Aces and Eights. London
