Bullets & Belles
Be Glad
Self-Released
Street: 01.04
Bullets & Belles = She & Him + The Ravonettes + Dave Alvin
Bullets & Belles play contemporary folk-infused with some of the most resonant vocal harmonies I can recall. It’s incredible to me that this group could sing every tune of theirs a cappella and still be captivating. “A Change Unlike the Rest” is a jaunty song that has a celebratory atmosphere to it, and its message to face change without fear is food for the soul. Another standout is the country-meets-doo-wop “Against the Walls,” where the vocal play and instrumentation come together at their apex. The production on this band’s release is impressive—and that’s not to say that they’re a studio creation. Instead, the spot-on production allows the talent and creativity to excel. The vocal interplay and the approach to the arrangements of these songs make it only a matter of time before this band finds a sizable degree of success, and I say that with confidence because after every listen, I only want more. – James Orme