Gaëtan Vandewoude already impressed us at PunkRockTheory with his other band Soon. So it was not completely without expectations that I started listening to the self-titled debut of his other project, The Isbells. There’s no real meaning behind the band name, just a family name to point out that being in a band is kind of like belonging to a family. Because make no mistake, The Isbells are indeed a band. It may have started out as just Vandewoude writing songs but somewhere along the way Naima Joris, Bart Borremans and Gianni Marzo joined and became an integral part of The Isbells as can be heard on this damn fine album.
Opener “As Long As It Takes” immediately sets the tone for the rest of the album with sparse acoustic strumming and amazing vocal harmonies created between Vandewoude and Joris. It proves right off the bat that these guys (and girl) can easily compete with Fleet Foxes or Bon Iver. While guitar and vocals do most of the talking on the album, there is also a lot to be said for the occasional addition of a tuba (“My Apologies”) or a ukelele (“Without A Doubt”).
All I can say is that this outfit delivered one hell of an amazing debut that deserves our undivided attention.
Score: 8 out of 10
http://www.zealrecords.com
http://www.myspace.com/theisbells
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