The Express & Company has brought the classic sound of bluegrass and country music and has recreated their own sound for new ears. If you are a fan of Mumford and Sons then I will guarantee that you will enjoy this album as well. Although the album doesn’t have a stand out song quite like Mumford and Sons do but they more and make up for it with their self titled album.
The members of The Express and Company is Dylan Ireland on Lead Vocals and Guitar, Melissa Payne on vocals and Fiddle, Benj Rowland on Banjo and Accordion, Liam Wilson on Bass Guitar, Joe Hay on Drums also appearing as guests on the album is Tommy Street on backing vocals and tambourine and James McKenty on Backing Vocals and Guitar.
Starting off the Ep which contains 6 tracks with the first song being a short introduction which leads into the first song titled “The List”. “The List” is the lead off single which the band has sent out to radio. After a quick instrumental lead in one of the strong points of the album and the band are Dylan’s vocals. Joining Dylan on Lead vocals is Melissa, one of the strong aspects of the album and their live shows I feel is bared on the harmonies between Dylan and Melissa, both contain a little country rasp in their vocals but can also be softened up as well. To help drive the vocals there is the ever noticeable bass and acoustic guitar country/bluegrass riff to tag along with the acoustic guitar and the Bass is also a banjo which sparsely comes into play during a few key sections in the song.
“Gold In Your Pockets” picks up the tempo a little, where “The List” had a mix of tempo changes “Gold In Your Pockets” his the money home in this song. To Me I would have made this song their first single instead mostly due to the faster tempo and I found the vocals between Melissa and Dylan really hit it home as well. The difference in the decibel levels between Dylan and Melissa vocals are a large aspect of the songs success, At the right timing moments they are at the same level then during other moments Melissa’s appear to be a little quieter which creates the perfect effect for the song. Dylan also leaves that little bit of rustic attitude off of his vocals for the most part in this song as well. Nearing about three quarters of the way through the song during the change of verses there is a great sounding instrumental break, this is where the song gains a great deal of stride towards the finish and to me what should make this song an available listen on the radio.
You can pick up your copy of The Express & Co. Self titled album by visiting www.Pirateradiorecords.com or their site www.expressandcompany.com