Single Review:

Church of the Pistoleros by Gypsy Pistoleros

Gypsy Pistoleros return with their latest single and lead track off their forthcoming album “The Church of the Pistoleros”, and do what they do best, delivering a devilishly infectious and addictive track that is at the same time familiar, whilst also being impossible to nail down to any one style or genre. This is clearly the next chapter of the Pistoleros and the progression from previous album “Duende A Go Go Loco” is very apparent indeed. All the things that made the band such a fabulously inimitable one-off are still here, but this time around so much more has been added to their sound, both in terms of songwriting, musicianship and sheer sonic variety. If this is what we can expect from next year’s full album release it looks like we’re in for something very special indeed…

Church of the Pistoleros immediately showcases this sophistication, but sacrifices nothing of the fire and mercurial spirit of the band, immediately catapulting itself into very top of the canon of Pistolero classics.

Opening with a luscious organ part and a reworded version of the Lord’s Prayer, this is the gospel according to Gypsy Lee Pistolero but never has a sermon sounded quite this enticing. There are so many elements that come together in a holy combination of sight and sound to create this minor masterpiece; chugging guitars, beautifully layered backing vocals, subtle shimmering synth lines weaving in and out, and Gypsy Lee’s deliciously wild and darkly charismatic vocal pulling the whole thing together.

Theatrical and melodramatic in the best possible way, there’s no denying the Pistoleros vision and ambition; in four and a half minutes Church of the Pistoleros captures the band’s manifesto in a maelstrom of passion, glamour and a wild, seductive romanticism.

Lyrics are often an overlooked, but vital component of a bands catalogue, but the Pistoleros lyrics are always witty and intriguing and we see that flair for a well-thought-out phrase again on this release (managing to find something that rhymes with “Pistoleros” is a work of genius in its own right!).

Immaculately produced once again by the supernaturally talented Dave Draper, this is the Gypsy Pistoleros at their widescreen cinematic best. It’s an anthem, a hymn, a call to arms for the tribes of the disenfranchised, for those who don’t belong, the mavericks who follow the beat of their own heart. So come join the congregation and worship at the altar of the Pistoleros; for when Gypsy Lee says “Come and take my hand all you beautiful weirdos…”, you know he means you.

And you.

And you.

And all of us who like to live our lives that bit differently…this ones for all of us…