Duo A Tale of Two – award-winning vocalist Stephanie Adlington and guitar virtuoso Aaron Lessard – have been garnering attention on the Americana circuit with their blend of Americana, Country and Blues. Following a series of single releases, the duo had planned to release an EP but those plans changed when the pandemic hit. Instead, the band pivoted to record their debut album ‘Renegade’, an 8-track collection of 7 original songs and one cover. Produced by Jon Estes, the album is a proper introduction to a band that might not yet be on your radar.
Title track ‘Renegade’ opens the record and it’s the kind of song that’s designed to grab your attention and make you listen. The harmonies, and undeniable chemistry, or Adlington and Lessard is the first thing that hits you. Their voices work well together with Adlington’s powerful tone perfectly complemented by Lessard’s deeper voice. Musically, the song is steeped in tradition with real instrumentation and intricate arrangements. You can imagine stopping your foot along to this one at a live show, and it perfectly paves the way for the rest of the record.
Across ‘Renegade’ A Tale of Two showcases their versatility, proving they are no one trick pony. On the moody ‘The Canyon’, Lessard’s vocal features more prominently with Adlington switching to backing vocal. Both singers are capable of leading and that’s a huge benefit in terms of keeping each song fresh and interesting. Lyrically this song leans more into folk, telling a story steeped in history and experience. ‘By The Light of the Moon’ is an acoustic-led track that leans strongly into tradition. It’s a little Patsy Cline melodically, with Adlington’s voice sounding strong and classy as the duo sings of falling in love.
‘1934’ draws inspiration from Bonnie & Clyde and features a little Spanish-inflected guitar. The duo sets a mesmerising tone as they tell the story with Adlington showing off a huskier side to her voice. The contemplative ‘Is It Me?’ is a meditation on life and the meaning of it all, over an arrangement so swoonsome you’d think you were listening to a Country song from the 70s. The tempo ramps up on ‘Devil Did The Deed (Not Me)’ for a Southern Gothic influenced track rich in fiddle and dripping in mood.
There’s one cover on the album, which is ‘Gun Street Girl’ originally recorded by Tom Waits. It takes a brave person (or band) to cover Waits but A Tale of Two acquit themselves well. The album comes to a close with ‘Once Upon a Summer’s Day’, a song about Adlington’s hometown. It’s the most emotive song on the record and the most personal, offering a fitting end to a collection that explores every facet of what A Tale of Two has to offer.
‘Renegade’ is a strong statement from A Tale of Two. The Americana circuit will love it but there’s enough crossover appeal here to capture Country music fans too. The selling point is the chemistry between Adlington and Lessard, which rings clear from every song. Add that to the super arrangements, engaging songs and strong vocals, and A Tale of Two is off to a solid start. If you’ve not heard of the band yet, do yourself a favour and check out ‘Renegade’.
Track list: 1. Renegade 2. The Canyon 3. By The Light of the Moon 4. 1934 5. Is It Me? 6. Devil Did the Deed (Not Me) 7. Gun Street Girl 8. Once Upon a Summer’s Day Record label: A Tale of Two Release date: 4th October 2024 Buy ‘Renegade’ now
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