Let’s first go back in time in regard to these gentlemen.  They had an album back in 2013 with a big owl on the front…I went back and checked and this release is cleverly called “Gentlemen Rogues.”  On one of many late night listening sessions back then I somehow came across that album.  I do not quite remember how or where but it happened.  The first song from that eponymous offering is the one I still remember to this day.  “Run from the Light” has two things that made it memorable.  First, a part of the lyrics reference a voice being like an EVP.  I had no idea what that was when I heard it so…learning experience.  Secondly, there is this very long intro, I swear it goes on for a minute at least, way past the point where you start thinking, “Ok, an instrumental track to lead-off is odd and weird.”  Of course, weird things make me happy so that all turned out well (and it is not an entire instrumental track- it just has a long and wonderful intro).  I am going back to listen to that entire EP as soon as I can.  

Back to this new new single…Note that this song also appears on their 2024 album Surface Noises.

It starts with a great bass and drum front with a melody line playing in the background.  This cycles for about 30 seconds before the vocals kick in.  It stays pretty rhythm forward throughout but there are some nice guitar riffs along the way.  Great line of this one for me, “I can’t carry on borrowing trouble, I’m too deep in debt to be devil-may-care.”   A solid alt-rocker here played right in the usual groove of the GR’s.  

There is a nice B-side also – a cover of “Children of the Revolution” (T.Rex) – definitely worth a listen.

Random thought for anyone listening in the booking world…someone has to get these guys on a bill with High on Stress…because that would be an awesome show.   As it is, The Gentlemen Rogues are coming to one of the best places in Minneapolis (Cloudland) and I have got to try to get myself there.  

If you go out and give “Half Empty, Half Fool” a listen…think about purchasing it if you can as steaming music does not pay well even times a thousand. 

And support your locals – community is powerful!