Frequent Philly gig merchants Two Handed Engine are the local DIY experts. Through an extensive back catalogue of bands Tim Moran, Jim Goodwill and Tom Mlcoch brought a lot of influences to the table from their respective ex-bands. They evolved as a band and have now released the EP ‘Good Misdeed’s’. Blending Americana and garage-rock hooks to create a following in Philadelphia that they hope will spread further afield.
They open the EP with the ambient Americana number ‘Steal Away’ it bleaches their sound with similar aesthetics to their prominent influences The New Pornographers. ‘Viola Free’ galvanises bluesy garage rock with big endearing hooks. There’s a menacing growl in Tim Moran’s vocals which all builds up for the pinnacle of this EP. It takes a snippet of bluesy-hooks akin The Black Keys and their own brand of Philly rock.
‘Born On A Train’ is an amalgamation of country and progressive garage but it’s not something to indulge in, it plods along carefree without registering with any remembrance. ‘I’ve been making promises that I’ll never keep’ Moran sings. I concur, I too won’t make a promise to listen to this again, as I’m afraid it’s a promise I won’t be able to keep. Again it shadows The New Pornographers sound with its spasmodic harmonies.
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‘Dead Eye Pearl’ melts a country and Americana-flecked jolly accompanied with big hooks. The EP finishes with the warm down piece ’No Victory’. It’s a shame as it has it’s promising moments in this EP most notably ’Viola Free’. However the end song of the EP seems to self-conclude the overall outcome of this effort….No Victory!
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