PopSyndicate.com

I’m up for reviewing just about any form of music with the exception of country.  Growing up in the rural South, I’ve been exposed to the genre many, many times over the years.  I never developed an appreciation of the music.  Girls Guns and Glory is an exception to the rule.  Lead singer Ward Hayden voice is reminiscent of Dwight Yoakam and Chris Isaak.  In fact, Girls Guns and Glory wears their influences on their sleeve with songs that are reminiscent of Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and others. Inverted Valentine is the New England bands third release and shows that you don’t have to be from Tennessee, Alabama or Texas to turn out quality alt.-country and bluegrass music.

Girls Guns and Glory (3G) brings lots of attitude and talent to their album.  You’re not going to find whiney “gotta get the girl back” music here.  Instead it’s more mischievous and playful.  “667” should be a country bar anthem.  The track leads of the album and rocks the house.  Blending roadhouse with pop hooks, 3G shows they are ready to burst into the mainstream.  And they can for the most part.  While there is no central theme on Inverted Valentine, there is a similarity in the songs.  Guitars lead off the songs shortly followed by Hayden’s vocals.  It’s this standard styling that hinders the band and keeps them from being truly memorable. 

Still tracks like “Suzie”, “Keep On Calling” and “Inverted Valentine” feel like they should be listened to in smoky bars filled with leather clad bikers and waitresses in their 60’s with voices that are ragged from years of smoking.  3G is a fixture of music in Boston and you can hear how they would attract a following with easy songs like “Baby You’re a Dog” and the Spanish influenced “Temptation”.  Fans of bluegrass, Dwight Yoakam and country rock will definitely enjoy Inverted Valentine and Girls Guns and Glory. 

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