The Lone Bellow

This Brookyn-based band with a very southern sound is currently my favorite. I almost saw them live this summer (had tickets, in fact), but due to a very misfortunate turn of events, I missed their show. However, I have tickets to see them in October and there is no way in hell I will let history repeat itself.

So, enough about me. Let's talk about The Lone Bellow.

They have two albums. The first, self-titled, The Lone Bellow, is probably the better of the two. The second one, which came out January of this year is called Then Came the Morning, and it's very good as well. Their sound is hard to put squarely into one genre, but they are somewhere between folk and rock and country and soul and blues; I would just say Americana, but that term doesn't mean very much.

There are three core members: lead singer and song-writer, Zach Williams; mandolin player and back-up singer, Kanene Pipkin; lead guitar and back-up singer Brian Elmquist.

As far as folk bands go, the unique thing they bring to the table is entirely their vocals. They have the most amazing harmonies, and honestly, their songs would not be nearly as good without this exact combination of singers. They also (seem to) have a ton of energy live; bands that are even better live than recorded are my favorite.

Here's a couple of their songs, what I'll call the essential Lone Bellow collection, to get you started. Listen to these by clicking on the title.

You Never Need Nobody

Probably their most well known song. Off their first album. If you were wondering what I meant by "soul," this song exemplifies that pretty well.

You Can Be All Kinds of Emotional

This song is a bit more on the country side of their sound, and absolutely gorgeous. Off their first album.

Then Came The Morning

The title track of their second album. We return to the gospel/soul sound here. This song really grew on me the more I listened to it.

Tree To Grow

Off their first album, this is the song that really made me fall in love with this band.

Take My Love

Definitely a different sound for them, away from folk and toward rock. Off their second album, this is my number one unrequited love anthem.

Diners

This song, from their second album, is a lot of fun. Listen to all the lyrics, they're pure gold.

You Don't Love Me Like You Used To

This song, from their first album, also really grew on me and wonderfully features Kanene's voice.