Apparently in an effort to out-Duluth Charlie Parr's let's-go-make-a-masterpiece-in-a-garage recording process, the Gallows' latest is a concept album about Park Point's rabbit population.
"Cross the Bridge" opens magnificently with "I Want to Go Out," Nathan Starke's ploy to get Jimmy Buffett to cry himself to sleep. The track's sunny disposition, Caribbean-style drumming and Joey Flynn's spot-on scratchboard efficacy will, in no time, have you reaching for a margarita ... you know what? This is an album for kids and adults alike, so it will have you reaching for an Icee in no time.
Not to be outdone, the Gallows' other primary songwriter, Marc Gartman, comes out swinging on track two. The winning "Greedy Hands and Mischief Eyes" takes you out of the often pessimistic world of indie rock and transports you to a place only kids understand.
This back and forth goes on throughout the album until track 10, which is, presumably, bassist/keyboardist Karl Anderson's first foray into writing for a bunny-hoppin' rock opera. The track, "Dog a Dog Dog," is pretty much the album's only "dark hour." It lacks the sunshine and exuberant spirit of the Gartman and Starke tracks. (It's OK, though ... kids deserve to cry every once in awhile.)
Another Parr parallel is the fact that "Cross the Bridge" comes just months after the group's landmark debut, "Sing Eric Sommer."
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It's hard to say if this album was a result of the group recording its heartwarming rendition of "Rainbow Connection" for the Pearl Swanson benefit album "Treasure Chest," but, like that track, this album works brilliantly. And, more than that, it's a great way to introduce any children you know to music that doesn't make adults scream.
For more on the Gallows, see www.myspace.com/thegallowsinduluth .
