You may recall an article I wrote earlier this year about Tally Hall. You may also recall how tumultuous a time they seemed to be having. Well boys and girls, here you have it. They have resurfaced, and they are more alive than ever! In the past month, Tally Hall’s Facebook page has become active again, along with their website, Twitter, and fan site. Their new and upcoming album, titled Good & Evil, looks to be the comeback they need to re-enter the music world after their long hiatus.
BY ASHLEY HEFNAWY
You and Me
[audio http://campusounds.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/03-you-me.mp3]
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Tally Hall has something most bands don’t have: a color scheme incorporated into their appearance, (see: ties). But in reality, what set them apart in their first album, (Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum) was how much fun they seemed to have both lyrically, and rhythmically. Their sound was extremely fun, and different from anything out there. Often times, it’s difficult for a band to play around with a fun sound, because they run the risk of sounding corny. That is not the case with Tally Hall. Equipped with all normal components of a band, (guitars, bass, keyboard, and drums) Tally Hall plays around with rhythm and vocals in a way that is almost always sure to make you groove in one way or another.
Good & Evil is a collection of intuitive, unique, and delicious tracks. There are highs and lows. And I don’t mean high points and low points, I mean songs that make you feel high and giddy as ever, and then songs that bring you back down to earth to deal with reality. While these tracks may not have the same zaniness we heard in Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum, they do present a very organized, well-rehearsed sound that Tally Hall will forever be known for.
The last time we heard from Tally Hall, they were still in the middle of, for lack of a better word, a large musical pickle. There was definite hope for their future, but there was uncertainty. After listening to this album, there’s not a doubt in my mind that Tally Hall will make the long anticipated comeback that we’ve all been waiting for.
I want to say that all of my favorite tracks on the album have a similar dancey sound, because that is what I’m usually prone to choosing as favorites. However, with Good & Evil, this is not the case. Never Meant to Know introduces the album with a solid guitar beat that lures us in with a sweet story-song, lyrically. It makes me happy to know that while their sound has changed a little,(more composed and unified) their lyrics still stay true to their storytelling ways. There is a lot of poetry in their music, making it fun to listen to because their songs are often times up to your own interpretation.
A couple of my other favorites include Cannibal, which is a straight up dance tune about a crazy woman lover. Hymn for a Scarecrow is another poem in my opinion, laced with acoustic guitar and beautiful but bold underlying bass lines. A Lady graces the ear shortly after with a soothing harp transition, which eventually calls out to the album title, Good & Evil. Turn the Lights Off and Misery Fell are all-time favorite tracks off the album. They embody the quintessential Tally Hall sound that we’ve all fallen in love with from the beginning: a cute singer (vocally and visually) paired with quick rhythms and sexy bass. Misery Fell is totally Beatles inspired though, which I would normally consider overdone, but it happens to work really well in this scenario.
Good & Evil is set to release on June 21st in all formats: digital, CD, and limited edition deluxe vinyl. I know that I’ve urged you all to go out and support all sorts of bands, but I think we can all come to agree that Tally Hall deserves your support. And, guess what else? They’re going on tour this summer. So check them out wherever is most convenient to you, because they’ll be all over.
For more info about Tally Hall and when they’re in your town, follow them on Facebook, or check out their website!
