The Gospel by Garry Pitcairn: A Wild Ride Through Prog and Indie Rock
If you’re looking for an album that feels like it was birthed in a dusty Italian garage but somehow got lost in a cathedral, The Gospel by Garry Pitcairn is your jam. Released in 2019 under Dansza Records, this prog-rock-meets-indie-rock masterpiece doesn’t just push boundaries—it karate chops them into next week. And with credits longer than my grocery list (seriously, Garry plays more instruments than I own socks), it’s clear this guy didn’t phone it in.
Let’s talk tracks. First up, “One Way Crime.” This banger kicks off the album like someone hit the gas pedal on a souped-up muscle car—loud, chaotic, and impossible to ignore. The blend of Taco Torres’ basslines and Stefano Chiapello’s saxophone gives it this gritty yet oddly spiritual vibe. Like, imagine if a street preacher decided to start a rock band—that’s what this track feels like. You can practically smell the incense and leather jackets.
Then there’s “Rise Above,” which hits different. It starts slow, almost mournful, with Garry plucking at his acoustic guitar like he’s trying to coax tears out of it. But then BAM! Harp and glockenspiel crash the party, turning it into some kind of celestial hoedown. By the time the choir chimes in, you’re not sure whether to grab a lighter or start fist-pumping. Either way, it sticks with you. Honestly, it’s the kind of song that makes you want to climb a mountain—or at least turn the volume way up while stuck in traffic.
What’s wild about The Gospel is how unapologetically maximalist it is. Between Francesco Crippa’s engineering wizardry and Alain Johannes’ mixing magic, every layer pops without overwhelming. Even the quieter moments feel intentional, like they’ve earned their place in the chaos. Oh, and props to Andy Vitali for the cover art—it looks like something you’d find in a thrift store and immediately buy because it’s too weird NOT to.
But here’s the kicker: despite all the bells, whistles, and lap steel guitars, the heart of this album beats loud and clear. Garry Pitcairn isn’t just showing off; he’s telling stories, painting pictures, and maybe even exorcising a few demons along the way. If anything, The Gospel proves that rock music doesn’t have to choose between brains and soul—it can be both, dammit.
So yeah, give this one a spin. Just don’t blame me if you end up googling “how to play harp” afterward.
