Eagle Rock, California’s Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan have a fifties chemistry that is often attempted but so rarely accomplished, making them sound simple but at the same time complete.
“Girls, Gather ‘Round” is a true let’s-all-sing-together song with its “one last night before the road steals me away” sentiment. It is nearly impossible to make it through the chorus without wanting to join in and take part in the swing-your-mug rhythm with the oh-so-familiar feeling that embodies the entire track which is the true strength of the song.
Their roots in post-Guthrie folk is comforting and their limited push to force a rhythm over the lyrics is to be applauded. They easily could fall into a trend if they were to do anything but leave their songs as simple as this one, whether that is something contrived or just how their songwriting develops collectively I’m not sure, but it’s appreciated. Listen to, or download the mp3 below.
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