"An arsenal of Fender amplifiers. A few vintage guitars. A consortium of pedals and other gadgets. The shaman's animal skins stretched tightly across drum shells. One drummer. One percussionist. One guitar player. One Bass Player. Two Girls.
On their upcoming release, Two Girls will set forth the next chapter in its growing saga of brainy and ballsy rock, rhythm and soul. Nearly five years in the making, the group has been constantly reinventing itself, pushing the envelop and rocking the fuck out. Founded in 2001 by Joel Madigan (guitar/vocals) and Alex Stoner (drums), the early days saw the release of the aptly title 16:16 EP (2001) and the band's sophomore effort, the indie prog epic Walking the Throat Line (2004).
A recent benchmark in the group's evolution, last year's rock n' roll songs about rock and roll (2005) showcased something new. A fresh direction. A revamped lineup. And a new found commitment to night's in the van far from their hometown of Peoria, IL. It was this release, and it's seamlessly accessible and highly entertaining fusion of rock and blues, that really began turning heads for the first time. The early Summer months will usher in the release of Dog Will Bark.
A unique synthesis of the old and the new, the gospel set forth by these fellows initially brings to mind the pop-rock sensibilities of T-Rex. A discerning ear will also take note of the indie-rock aesthetic and its affinity for the angular, at times reminiscent of The Jesus Lizard or Giant's Chair. And the raw soul and trashiness of a whole lineage of deviant blues-rock bands from Blue Cheer to Queens of the Stone Age is smartened up by a smattering of the mischeivous demeanor and unorthodox arrangements of other progressives, occasionally approximating the drones and tangents of Yes or XTC. What manifests itself live as a well-orchestrated display of guitar looping wizardry, soulful vocals, skillfully energetic hand drumming, and solid rock and roll beats translates to wax as a head-bobbing, groove-oriented dose of exploration, expression and psychedelia."
Tim Mead 05/17/06
