Former member of the acclaimed Americana band, Case Hardin, Pete Gow is back with his third solo album, 'Leo'. Developing a fuller sound this time out with brass and strings he has expanded upon his ever evolving sound.
Gow’s new material is seemingly intimate, yet with the string and brass added, it is for want of a better turn of phrase, almost cinematic, as the music conjures imagery in the mind inspired by Gow’s lyrics across the nine songs that make up ‘Leo’.
Opening with ‘Where Else Would We Be Going’, the listener knows right away that they are in for a treat. Uplifting brass underpinned by a steady rhythm and swirling keys give Gow’s vocal a soulful boost. ‘Side III Of London Calling’, spins a light hearted classic country yarn in the mould of The E Street Band. In a similar vein, the anthemic ‘This City is a Symphony’ is a melodic delight.
The undisputed highlight of record is the epic ‘Leonard’s Bar’. Once again perfectly mixing the full band sound with the brass section, Gow’s lyrics lay out the tragic tale of a reformed criminal forced to undertake one last job.
‘Leo’ is an album that finds inspiration in many places. There are hints of Townes Van Zandt, Johnny Cash, and Glen Campbell in the stories than unfold and captivate across the record. While the music blends layers of classic country with a healthy dash of the exuberant melodies and tempos of The E Street Band.