Reviews
CD Review by George Stamps
The worst song on this CD is still darn good. The easily could sum up this comilation by the duo 2 X 12. Gary Fights and Kim Swickard make up 2 X 12 and together they are reminiscent of John Cougar Mellencamp meets Cheryl Crow.
This CD is a collection of songs written by Gary and Kim along with a couple of their friends and it honestly has something for everyone. Listening to this CD carried me throught a gamut of emotions. The first track is the instrumental "Barcelona" that made want to cry. While listening, I imagined a matador alone in the arena facing not just his fear of the bull, but also his fear of losing the senorita who no longer waited to toss him a raose when the contest was over. "Give And Take" left me feeling frustrated due to the singer dealing with a wishy washy lover that seems to fear commitment.
This CD is far from a tearjerker though, with songs like "Eddy" in which the singer tells of a love that sounds almost too good to be true, all the way to songs like "Two Of A Kind" that deals with opposites that attract, and are attracted to each other, this will leave you humming to yourself long after the CD is over.
The aforementioned "Barcelona" along with two other instrumentals, "Heartland" and "Irish Dreams" conjur up images in my mind so powerful that I am awestruck. After listening to 2 X 12 you realize you're listening to something that is in a word, right. It is hard to believe the duo has been together less than a year. In conclusion ther are 15 tracks to be enjoyed on "We'll Play That Bridge When We Come To It" and if it doesn't light your fire, then your wood is wet.
-George Stamps, Freelance Writer
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Stephan's Indie-Music Review
2x12 "We'll Play That Bridge When We Come To It" - (2004) Fightmasters Music - Rating" 9
2x12 (two by twelve) is a Central Ky based act fronted by two talented individuals Vocalist Kim Swickard and Guitarist/Vocalist Gary Fights. They first started working together in September 2003. Fights has been performing in the area off and on both with bands and as a solo artist for more than 20 years. Swickard, an Ohio native has only been performing for a couple of years now. They met at an Open Mic Night Fights was hosting at Backstage Cafe' KY in Elizabethtown. Fights was
impressed with Swickard's vocals and the two talked and decided to form a partnership, calling themselves 2 X 12 (two vocalists and a 12-String).
The best way to describe their vocal style is Sheryl Crow meets John Mellencamp. Swickard's vocals are rich and soulful, combined with Fights' rock edge. Another element of their signature sound is Fights' Percussive performances on his 12-string guitar, providing lead, rhythm and percussion (ala Michael Kelsey) all at the same time. With their mix of Acoustic Rock, Blues, and Folk, they have become a mainstay in the Central KY area.
As of the beginning of 2005, 2 X 12 is no longer an acoustic duo... with the additions of veteran bassist Sonny Waddell and drummer Bob Oberg, they have evolved into a hot Blues/Rock Band.
The album "We'll Play That Bridge When We Come To It" is the debut album for 2x12 as an acoustic duo... featuring 15 original tracks, plus one hidden track. As a collection it is a showcase of their vocals (especially Swickard's) and Fights' guitar.
You have to do a double take when you look at the package. The cover sports an embossed photo tinted grey, of the duo standing on a walking bridge over a creek. The detail and design of the picture make it look more like a detailed wood carving. The photo on the back of the liner notes is a black and white that looks more like a charcoal drawing, and even the inside of the liner notes look good (cute pup in one of the pictures). The fonts as small as they are are quite easy to read (indies take note). The CD label looks like a record album (that's what we used to listen to before the invention of the CD kiddies), and a really nice touch, making the overall package look great.
Enough about the package, let's talk about what's inside.....
The album starts off with "Barcelona", an acoustic piece performed by Fights with a strong Spanish feel to it. There is an Native American flute playing softly in the background (so soft it's almost an echo) making this a very haunting song.
The next song "Give and Take" is a re-release of sorts. Originally recorded on Fights second album "Over The Edge". Swickard's vocals on this jazzy piece are quite soulful and capture the feel of the song. Fights guitar solo is quite good, it really showcases his ability on the instrument. Playing lead, rhythm and percussion all at the same time. He also provides some good harmonies.
"My Own Person" is an "angry chick song" penned by Fights and Shari Slinker. Swickard's lead vocals provide the attitude the song needed. She also provided the backing vocals on this song. Making it sound like something Mother Jane might have released. While Fights guitar performance was good on this song, I would like to hear this one with drums and bass too.
"Time Changes" is another song Fights brought over from his second album... It is a funky tune featuring some "Pop N Thump" style guitar playing. Fights does a great job on the lead vocals and Swickards harmonies put it over the top.
"Moth to a Flame" is a Country/Rock flavored tune about a not-so-good relationship. Swickard's vocals are pretty and soulful and Fights provides some good lead and rhythm guitar. Though I think the leads could have been brought out more.
"Eddy" is one of the duo's signature tunes... It's a sweet love song Kim wrote about her husband (sorry guys she's married) Mark (figure that one out). The lyrics are quite good and Swickard proves herself to be the stronger songwriter of the duo... This song features some good harmonies and a nice rhythm.
"Heartland" is the second instrumental on this album. As you listen to Fights play you (or at least I did) get the feeling of setting by a country stream in the evening listening to the frogs and birds.
"Second Chance at Love" which Fights and Swickard co-wrote is an interesting song... it's a love song that could also pass as a Contemporary Christian song. This song features some great vocal work by Swickard and strong harmonies by Fights. The guitar work was good but could have been brought up a little.
The duo really find their groove on the Jump Blues tune "Two of a Kind". The song which they co-wrote is a tune about how opposites attract... it features some good lyrics and is kind of funny. Vocally the duo do what they do best play off each other and then sing together with tight harmonies. Fights lead guitar is really good and almost makes you forget he's playing a 12-string.
"The Monster I Could Be" is a country love song with a perverse twist. Swickard really shows her sense of humor on this song. She sing the song beautifully and provides angelic harmonies as well. Which gives this song an even more perverse twist as you listen to the lyrics.
"Only A Woman" is the only "cover" on this album. It's a blues song written by Jonnie Ramsey about a woman loving a man with a drinking problem. It is a haunting piece. It could have used a little more in the harmony department, while they are in key they are a little too thin. Fights really lays out a good bass line on his guitar on this song.
"Irish Dreams" is the third instrumental on this cd. Fights really captures a true Celtic feel with this song. It starts off softly with Fights drumming on the guitar as he plays. Then builds to a gradual climax before fading to the end. His lead almost sounds like a fiddle rather than a guitar, Great effect and good use of delay as well. The only other instrumentation on the song is Swickard playing tamborine. You'll be "dancin' a jig" as you listen to this tune.
"Month of Sunday Nights" starts out with Fights drumming a "heartbeat" and clock" rhythm on the guitar... Swickard starts a capella (is it a capella if there is the drumming in the background?) singing soulfully.. This is also one of the songs where she plays guitar. Fights switches from the drumming to playing in the bridge helping the song build to it's climax, before ending and fading with the drumming sound.... Great coffeehouse type music.
The Road (That Leads Me Back) is best described as a hair band ballad. ala.. Poison's "Every Rose has a Thorn" this is another tune Fights released on his second album. This time however, it is performed as a duet. Both singers perform well singing their solo parts, and their harmonies are fan-freakin'-tastic! Their interplay and balance is right on. Vocally they really know their stuff. There's also a couple of good guitar solo's to flesh this song out.
"Why?" is the last song (listed one anyway) on the cd. It's an upbeat heart break song (go figure that one out folks). It has kind of an Eagles feel to it. As you listen to the music you'll have a hard time believeing it's only Fights playing guitar and Swickard on tamborine. Their harmonies are clear and tight on this song. As the song approaches the end they go from two part to four part harmony and each part blends in perfectly. The duo really "struts their stuff" vocally on this one. There is a great a capella ending to this song... It was a strong finsh for a good album....
but wait one minute.... or actually more like thirty seconds! There's a hidden track on this album! They do a funny remix of "The Monster I Could Be". With a lot of playing around and cutting up. Fights kicks in on vocals in this version making some of the lines even funnier than in the other version especially in this part. "(Swickard) What if I discovered I was... (Fights) really a man? (Both) and took up chain smokin' tattoos on my hands. (Swickard) Would you still love me would you still (Fights) love the sound of my voice, would you still stick around?" Their vocal interplay and the funny way they presented this song made me wish this hadn't been a hidden track... The first version was well performed... but this was a freakin' gas!
You won't find a bad song on this album it's a great debut and a real captured moment in time for an act that continues to evolve. I can't wait to hear their next one... There were a couple of rough spots in the production (which kept me from giving it a 10) but they don't really effect the overall performance.. This one's a keeper!
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-Stephan M, Stephan's Indie-Music Review
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2 X 12 - We'll Play That Bridge When We Come To It - Review by Les Reynolds
"Barcelona" - nice intro, nice melody ... good tune!
"Give and Take" - another good melody, and a nice kind of "swing" to it ... lyrics not terribly great ... nice geetar solo
However, on the other hand, the lyrics on "Eddy" are good.
Kim's vocals are great overall...like to hear her "let one rip" once in a while to see where she can take as song...if she takes care of her voice, she'll be a great one when she's in her 40's, or even later than that... very soulful and powerful voice.
Gary's vocals (in general) are better this time around...steadier when he holds notes.
"Second Chance at Love" - nice playing off each other on vocals
"The Road (That Leads Me Back) - good harmonies
"Month of Sunday Nights" - interesting deviation from the rest of the list -- sorta like a "coffee house poet"
Guitar (general) not sure just what to call it technically, but I'm hearing a lot of the same strumming patterns over and over, needs a bit more variety I think.
Kim's voice is the key ingredient, Gary has the guitar chops, I just don't hear em' as much on this one, but he does know talent when he hears it...Kim was a great choice.
- Les Reynolds
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