Gallows Bound by Gallows Bound: A Raw, Genre-Bending Ride Through Folk and Punk Vibes
If you’re into music that feels like it came straight out of a dusty roadhouse or some hidden Appalachian cabin but still kicks with a punk edge, Gallows Bound is your jam. Released in 2014 by the band Gallows Bound (yeah, they named the album after themselves—why not?), this record blends traditional folk, bluegrass, country, and even a splash of rock into something that’s hard to pin down but easy to vibe with. It’s like if Johnny Cash got into a bar fight with a banjo player and a punk drummer—it’s messy, it’s raw, and it’s kinda beautiful.
The album clocks in at 15 tracks, though there are some repeats like “Forgotten Or Forgiven” and “Sink In The Soil” showing up twice with slightly different spellings. Maybe it’s intentional? Who knows. But let’s focus on what stands out because this thing has some gems.
First off, “Black Widow Woman.” Man, this track hits hard. It’s got that gritty country swagger mixed with a punk attitude that makes you wanna stomp your boots while punching the air. The lyrics paint this picture of a femme fatale who’s equal parts dangerous and irresistible—like she’ll either steal your heart or your wallet, maybe both. And the instrumentation? Super tight. There’s this driving rhythm that just pulls you in, plus some killer guitar licks that feel like they could’ve been ripped from a whiskey-soaked honky-tonk stage. You remember this one because it sticks to your ribs like good BBQ.
Then there’s “Mourning Dove,” which flips the script entirely. This one slows things down and gets hauntingly introspective. The vocals here have this raspy, almost broken quality that pairs perfectly with the melancholic melody. It’s the kind of song that makes you stare out a rainy window and think about all the mistakes you’ve ever made. Like, damn, it’s heavy—but in a way that feels cathartic rather than depressing. When the harmonies kick in halfway through, it’s goosebump city. If “Black Widow Woman” is the wild night out, “Mourning Dove” is the quiet morning after where everything feels too real.
One thing worth mentioning is how clean yet raw the production sounds. Doug Stanford handled engineering, mixing, and mastering, and he did a bang-up job keeping the authenticity intact without over-polishing anything. Jordan Joyes’ illustrations and Rob Shultz’s layout give the whole package a DIY charm that fits the music perfectly. It’s clear these folks poured their hearts into this project, label or no label.
So yeah, Gallows Bound might not be for everyone. If you’re looking for shiny pop hooks or polished perfection, keep scrolling. But if you dig music that feels alive—like it’s breathing and sweating and spilling beer everywhere—this album’s gonna hit the spot. Honestly, listening to it feels like finding an old mixtape in the backseat of a beat-up truck. You don’t know who made it, but it speaks to you anyway.
And hey, isn’t that what great music’s supposed to do? Now excuse me while I go listen to “Black Widow Woman” again and pretend I’m cooler than I actually am.
