Review: Tommy Gallagher Band - Always Something

The Amarillo, Texas boys that make up the Tommy Gallagher Band are an easy-going group of guys who have managed to create an album that honors the tradition of Tommy's legendary grandfather (honky-tonk hero Tommy Allen) while still pushing the envelope of contemporary Texas country music. This is no easy feat. And that's why the Tommy Gallagher Band will probably soon join the ranks of the top Texas country acts, such as the Randy Rogers Band, Stoney LaRue and Wade Bowen.

The album, expertly produced by Mike McClure, starts strong with the title track "Always Something." And the Tommy Gallagher Band - or TGB as they are affectionately known by longtime fans - have crafted a unique sound on the title track that will make them instantly recognizable to country radio audiences. The song "Always Something" is the band's first single and is already a big hit on the Texas Music Chart. The track "Smile" is another laid-back, Texas country-style song with serious radio potential.

"What Goes Around" shows the band's harder edge, and the instrumentation on "What Goes Around" deserves serious praise. Indeed Josh Duggan (lead guitar), Ken Chrostowski (bass), Kit Koop (rhythm guitar) and Ryan Duncan (drums) are exceptional musicians and the perfect complement to Tommy Gallagher's superior vocals. Likewise, the rockin' "Got It Made" is a track that mixes traditional country and Texas country with great success.

Another standout is "Here Tonight." This cut, written by Gallagher, showcases the band at their best and compares favorably to virtually any country song on Texas radio today. It is readily evident that the band has been heavily influenced by their own favorite musicians, such as Cooder Graw, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Jason Boland, Reckless Kelly and Merle Haggard. The band combines elements from all of the aforementioned artists with the best song on the album - the reflective "Dream." This song showcases the band in full storytelling mode with a rock-solid vocal performance from Tommy Gallagher and thought-provoking lyrics.

The Tommy Gallagher Band's years of playing honky-tonks and long days of honing their musical skills have paid off in a big way with the album "Always Something." This project is a rare gem that pays homage to country music of the past while still creating something new and different that will be warmly embraced by the country music world. In fact, the hard-driving anthem "Have A Ball" may sum up the album best. Indeed, you will certainly have a ball with the album, and it's evident the Tommy Gallagher Band had a heck of a good time making it.

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