The Gallery – If You Know What I Mean

If you’re a fan of Jimmy Eat World and The Fray, Gallery is a great up-and-coming band to uncover and keep your ears on, or, if you’re simply looking for a good indie band to cut your teeth on and introduce yourself to the genre, Gallery is a good jumping off point. Now is a great time to give them a chance at your CD rotation, because it’s obvious that they’re on the cusp of being something more than underground. Catch them live before their shows start to sell out, get their albums while they still have the sweet possibility of potential, and grow with them.

If You Know What I Mean is an album that is easy to listen to and easy to love. Following in the same creative indie vein as Saves The Day, Jimmy Eat World and The Fray, Gallery casts their net in the same waters with equal enthusiasm but slightly less maturity and experience.

The first track, “Drift,” is a beautiful and strong opening song with evocative lyrics and aching melodies that make you want to close your eyes and ‘drift’ out to sea with the band. In my opinion, one of the most formidable tracks on the entire album as far as talented writing (both lyrically and instrumentally) is concerned. If, however, there is one main criticism of this album as a whole, it is that although the vocals are sweet, soft, and mellow, there could be a lot more variation; at times the songs seem to be in danger of sounding too similar to each other. With that said, the intense beginning of If You Know What I Mean does seem to plateau for a bit, until the heartfelt and honest simplicity of “The Introduction”, a song about the difficulties of being away on tour and missing loved ones at home. The message remains positive, though, as the confessional lyrics state that they will continue “stickin’ it out” because this is, in fact, the pinnacle of their dreams.
The positivity of the album continues with the upbeat and infectious “My Rhythm”, which utters one of the best lines: “The world won’t keep my feet from dancing”—sweet sentiments from a band so young and charming words to live by. Immediately following is another strong track (and my favorite), “Circus Song”. The catchy guitar riffs trip up and down and it’s impossible to imagine anything other than a circus rolling into town. Poppier than the rest of the album and probably more radio friendly, “Circus Song” echoes ghosts of Panic At The Disco! styles and hooks. The lyrics were a little cutesy, but with the balance of intricate, whimsical instrumentation, it works surprisingly well.

If You Know What I Mean is a great album, but it is far from the zenith that Gallery has the potential to reach. Rather, it is a great jumping off point for a band that I hope will grow lyrically and grasp something more of their own sound rather than sampling hooks and rhythms that the indie greats of their generation composed. There is enviable talent in spades, but will be better when finely honed by years of experience and maturation. Above all, the best advice that I can offer is to acquire and enjoy If You Know What I Mean for its strengths and continue to keep your eyes open and ears to the ground for Gallery; I doubt you’ll be disappointed.