Belles of the rock 'n' roll ball
William Merrill | San Antonio, TX United States | 07/05/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It's nice to discover a band that no one else appears to know about, but one with seemingly unlimited potential. Such is the case with this Lawrence KS duo. The Belles are sometimes categorized as Americana, which is a bit inaccurate. Their style is more like rock, but with a softer edge provided by Mr. Tolle's generally hushed vocal sound and the melodic song arrangements. The Belles are definitely not a "hit you over the head" kind of band. Tunes such as "Ghost in the Hallway" and "Clouds Over Stansted" are gentle, contemplative gems. When they do up the tempo occasionally, as on "Monarch," a fun pop-rock groove is established, a la Fountains of Wayne or the like. My current favorite songs from Time Flies are the title track and a shimmering cut with nice harmonies called "The Late Hours." Check out this group's my space page if you want to sample their wares in greater depth before you buy."