Gallery

Description

Gallery is an album by the American pop/rock band Jeff Elbel + Ping, released on Marathon Records in July 2012.

For the uninitiated (which, unfortunately will be most people reading this review) Jeff Elbel is a longtime Christian music staple out of the Chicago area, especially noted for his affiliation with The Cornerstone Festival (RIP) and his performances on the ‘Gallery Stage’ with his bands, Farewell to Juliet, Sunny Day Roses and, more recently, Ping. Originally a purveyor of Brit influenced alternative pop in the vein of The Choir and The Prayer Chain, Elbel’s writing has evolved quite a bit in the ensuing years, as ‘Gallery’ features a terrifically winning blend of roots-rock styles incorporating blues, folk, rock, gospel, and Americana into a unique and bracing amalgam that reflects his love for classic artists like Bonnie and Delaney, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty and more. «I Can Change» kicks the album off on a joyous, raucous note as Elbel and vocalist extraordinaire, Maron Gaffron trade vocal harmonies on the tight, R&B influenced rocker that recounts the biblical tale of Jonah. Other highlights include the Dylan/klezmer band mash-up, «I Forget», an homage to a marriage so together that there is little left to fight about except the inconsequential stuff; the sprightly pop-rocker, «Light It Up», which recalls some of my favorite 80’s underground acts like db’s, Marshall Crenshaw, and Let’s Active with it’s mix of hooks and tight instrumental moxie. This cut includes a BLAZING guitar solo from Dan Dixon as well; and the album closer, «Comfort Me», a gospel influenced ballad that acts as a prayer to be enveloped in God’s peace and comfort. These cuts just touch the surface, though. The whole record is a celebration of modern American music and really is about as engaging as rock music gets. ‘Gallery’ is highly recommended, to say the least. [Shawn McLaughlin, Christian Musician, March/April 2013]

> iTunes

CD tracklist:

01. I Can Change – 3:54
02. My Own Best Enemy – 4:00
03. I Forget – 4:20
04. Light It Up – 3:39
05. In a Place Where Shadows Grow – 4:27
06. Make Sure Your Eyes Are Fine (feat. Maron Gaffron) – 3:32
07. Your Wicked Mirror – 5:05
08. Simple Song – 3:10
09. Early Birds and Night Owls – 4:07
10. Time Enough At Last – 4:04
11. Comfort Me – 3:58

Note: Available at Bandcamp: https://ping.bandcamp.com/album/gallery

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