Fancy Gap, a duo consisting of singer-songwriter Stuart McLamb of Love Language and songwriter/producer Charles Crossingham, releases their self-titled debut album. The album is named after a small place in Virginia, where many of the songs were written.
Originally envisioned as the next Love Language album, the album evolved into a singular project covering topics such as old age and death, love, and observations on life, including friendship and relationships.
McLamb explains, “Charles and I wanted to make an album that sounded like the music we wanted to hear. It just so happens that at the time, we were listening to a lot of classic ’90s radio rock and a lot of classic country radio 98.1 WBRF out of Galax, VA,”
Of the ten tracks on the album, highlights include “How To Dance,” a soft, country rock tune reminiscent of Pure Prairie League. McLamb’s smooth, slightly twangy vocals imbue the lyrics with warm, generous tones.
The delicious two-step motion of “Little Heart Racer” delivers a contagious pushing rhythm that demands listeners get up and move. Hints of boogie-woogie piano flavours infuse the melody with galvanizing energy that conjures us vague suggestions of Jerry Lee Lewis.
A personal favourite, “Strawberry Moon,” featuring Sharon Van Etten’s lustrous vocals, flows on shimmering tendrils of country-laced alt-rock. Another gem, “Magnolias,” opens on gentle, gleaming guitars topped by McLamb’s high tenor, giving the lyrics a lush, dreamy wistfulness. The undulating melody sways and rolls on gorgeous surfaces, inviting listeners to drift with the music.
Darker, echoing guitars inject “Diamond Cutter” with reverberating, rounded textures that underscore the creamy vocals. The tune has a floating feel, and retro flavours from Motown imbue the melody with a charming amplitude.
“Sweet Time” closes the album in grand style with complex layers of sparkling, throbbing textures and shifting harmonics, ebbing and rising on velvety, sonic hues. Dreamy vocals give the lyrics passionate savours of electrifying attachment. On their debut album, Fancy Gap finds wonderful creative ways to merge classic country with classic soft rock.
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