TENLONS FORT

From AustinSound.net Review by Doug Freeman Sept 2007On the grander orchestrations that seep into Followed By Bad Luck, there's a subtle feel of Brian Wilson's work, but perhaps the closest touchstone may be Elliott Smith's later albums, especially on "There's Always Something Wrong With You." The layered vocal self-harmonies only emphasize the loneliness and isolation, even as the entire album wraps itself in a gorgeous, uplifting swell.Opener "Closing Door" encompasses both aspects of Gibson's songwriting, fully tracing the silver lining of resigned sentiments like "Every time you see a closing door, think of me…Because one day I'll be gone, you'll see," with "Cause there's a better place for you, there's a better place for me." The simple, fatalistic honesty is gut-wrenching.The low-end piano chords and rolling drums of "Come Back to Me" create one of the darkest tracks, even as, or perhaps because of, the trilling, almost flute-like interjections. The song also sets up the conflicted tension running throughout Followed By Bad Luck, Gibson wavering between the detached realism of the opening songs that insists on letting go and the overpowering regret of what's being thrown away that emerges later: "Come back to me baby, I didn't mean to push you away, I only meant to combat my fears, But it's my fears that stayed.""Used to Be" is among Gibson's most powerful offerings and ends the album brilliantly, the stark accompaniment barely holding the emotion behind the slowly erupting vocals, the song leaving the album in a perfect state of broken beauty. Followed By Bad Luck is an exceptional work, showing Gibson at his best and with a considerable promise that stretches far beyond his under-appreciated talent.Albums Tenlons Fort - The Golden Handshake - Haunted Maggot 01 Tenlons Fort - Followed By Bad Luck - Haunted Maggot 02 Tenlons Fort - Forever is a Long Time (EP) - Haunted Maggot 03Singles Tenlons Fort - "Believe" LAST DAYS SOUNDTRACK (Mk2) Tenlons Fort - "Wrote About Life" - Little Radio SXSW 2008