Pretty Little Secrets
44 Stone, 2019
8/10
Listen to Pretty Little Secrets
A husband and wife outfit from Houston who call their music ‘high lonesome heavy metal’, Grifters & Shills have been quite prolific in their 10 year existence, as Pretty Little Secrets is their 6th album.
“Running Out” starts the listen with harmony friendly Americana that’s rugged yet still melodic, and “Music Man” follows with a warm folk spirit as the tune gets playful but with a cautious spirit.
Near the middle, “Disappear” offers a vocally expressive bare track with timeless beauty, while “2-55” finds a bluesy place to reside with a swift and shuffling pace of rowdy fun. “Highway Ride” then brings us the album highlight with its guitar acrobatics and gritty rock’n’roll that flows well with the pretty vocals from Rebecca Stoll.
Deeper into the listen, “Last Leaf Has Fallen” recruits balladry with a breezy country spirit, and “Left Right Left” brings a rural rockin’ friskiness that could get anyone dancing on their back porch. “Somewhere To Go” exits the listen soft and agile, with dual gender vocals as a lone guitar and harmonica set the mood perfectly.
At 15 tracks, this one requires some time, but Rebecca and John Stoll keep the setting varied with at least dozen instruments and textures that are as likely to get soulful as they are raw with an infectious energy.
A completely DIY effort from beginning to end, the pair show a strong chemistry on this fantastic record that anyone will benefit from hearing.
Travels well with: Kacy & Clayton- Carrying On; Buddy & Julie Miller- Breakdown On 20th Ave. South