Pearl Handled Revolver – Tales You Lose
In 2023 Bedford based psych-groove meets dark rock-blues band Pearl Handled Revolver released the comprehensive 2Disc anthology Psychedelic Attic.
In review of that album, FabricationsHQ made mention that it could also be heard, perhaps, as the end or first chapter of the band’s now sixteen year career.
New offering, and fifth full-length album, Tales You Lose, would certainly seem to hint at a new chapter.
The same elements are in place that made albums such as 2019’s Fantasy Reigns such an interesting and intriguing listen, but with bassist Lucas Rinaldo (who has always been on the Pearl periphery) now officially joining his father Simon Rinaldo (keys), Lee Vernon (lead vocals, harmonica), Andy Paris (guitar, backing vox) and Chris Thatcher (drums, backing vox), there does seem to be a subtle shift to a darker and deeper grooved Pearl Handled experience.
The album certainly contains two of their darkest, boldest and longest statements yet, which act as ten-and-a-half minute bookends to a core of six shorter, but no less impacting, numbers.
Opening with a simple, sparse rhythm, 'Black Rock' slow-builds its sound and textures behind Lee Vernon’s intentionally world-weary voice (Vernon vocally sits somewhere between Jim Morrison and Nick Cave, with a touch of Hugh Cornwell); the song then flits between those darker, sparse sonics and fuller, psychedelic rock blues moments before ending on a pulsating groove.
The psychedelically funky 'Heart Of Gold' initially evokes echoes of The Doors (a recurring trait and trend of PHR’s music – no bad thing) before building to a weightier, woozy, and Hammond filled second half that owes more to Iron Butterfly or original era Atomic Rooster.
'Gilding The Lily' offers up some bubbly and, again, slightly funky, late 60s shaped rock-blues while the slower and downtempo 'Lightning' provides reflective contrast (Lucas Rinaldo’s bass line and some chiming guitar parts from Andy Paris help make this song a deeper cut highlight).
The spacious, seven minute 'Courageous' is another highlight, one that is as brooding as it is hypnotic; the heavy psychedelic (and, again, Doors-esque) mid-section makes this number all the more effective.
'Space Invader,' which shifts from staccato verses to swirling choruses, is cleverly titled to complement a lyric about the overabundance of uneducated or empty opinions hitting the news headlines, and the inevitable disillusionment ("we’re all disconnected!" cries an anguished Lee Vernon). Yet another highlight.
The up-tempo and somewhat groovy 'Hammer' carries a funky little vibe, due, in part, to having a keyboard-melody line similar to The Temptations Motown classic 'Get Ready.'
The album closes on the brooding and prog-adelic 'Junkies.'
Sounding like The Doors in a different, darker time and grooving space, the ten-and-a-half minute track stabs and pulsates in equal measure before settling into a deep, space-rock groove that Hawkwind would be proud to call their own.
The musical nature of Tales You Lose may, at first listen, have you believe this is a very dark journey.
But the Pearl Handled reality is a lyrical acknowledgement of that darkness whilst looking to find the light at the end of a currently tumultuous world tunnel.
If this is indeed the prologue to the second chapter of Pearl Handled Revolver, the next sixteen years is off to a fine start.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
In review of that album, FabricationsHQ made mention that it could also be heard, perhaps, as the end or first chapter of the band’s now sixteen year career.
New offering, and fifth full-length album, Tales You Lose, would certainly seem to hint at a new chapter.
The same elements are in place that made albums such as 2019’s Fantasy Reigns such an interesting and intriguing listen, but with bassist Lucas Rinaldo (who has always been on the Pearl periphery) now officially joining his father Simon Rinaldo (keys), Lee Vernon (lead vocals, harmonica), Andy Paris (guitar, backing vox) and Chris Thatcher (drums, backing vox), there does seem to be a subtle shift to a darker and deeper grooved Pearl Handled experience.
The album certainly contains two of their darkest, boldest and longest statements yet, which act as ten-and-a-half minute bookends to a core of six shorter, but no less impacting, numbers.
Opening with a simple, sparse rhythm, 'Black Rock' slow-builds its sound and textures behind Lee Vernon’s intentionally world-weary voice (Vernon vocally sits somewhere between Jim Morrison and Nick Cave, with a touch of Hugh Cornwell); the song then flits between those darker, sparse sonics and fuller, psychedelic rock blues moments before ending on a pulsating groove.
The psychedelically funky 'Heart Of Gold' initially evokes echoes of The Doors (a recurring trait and trend of PHR’s music – no bad thing) before building to a weightier, woozy, and Hammond filled second half that owes more to Iron Butterfly or original era Atomic Rooster.
'Gilding The Lily' offers up some bubbly and, again, slightly funky, late 60s shaped rock-blues while the slower and downtempo 'Lightning' provides reflective contrast (Lucas Rinaldo’s bass line and some chiming guitar parts from Andy Paris help make this song a deeper cut highlight).
The spacious, seven minute 'Courageous' is another highlight, one that is as brooding as it is hypnotic; the heavy psychedelic (and, again, Doors-esque) mid-section makes this number all the more effective.
'Space Invader,' which shifts from staccato verses to swirling choruses, is cleverly titled to complement a lyric about the overabundance of uneducated or empty opinions hitting the news headlines, and the inevitable disillusionment ("we’re all disconnected!" cries an anguished Lee Vernon). Yet another highlight.
The up-tempo and somewhat groovy 'Hammer' carries a funky little vibe, due, in part, to having a keyboard-melody line similar to The Temptations Motown classic 'Get Ready.'
The album closes on the brooding and prog-adelic 'Junkies.'
Sounding like The Doors in a different, darker time and grooving space, the ten-and-a-half minute track stabs and pulsates in equal measure before settling into a deep, space-rock groove that Hawkwind would be proud to call their own.
The musical nature of Tales You Lose may, at first listen, have you believe this is a very dark journey.
But the Pearl Handled reality is a lyrical acknowledgement of that darkness whilst looking to find the light at the end of a currently tumultuous world tunnel.
If this is indeed the prologue to the second chapter of Pearl Handled Revolver, the next sixteen years is off to a fine start.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ