The Rough and Tumble (from the album Only This Far

The Rough and Tumble (from the album Only This Far

The Rough and Tumble (from the album Only This Far available as a self-release) (by Lee Zimmerman)

The implications of their handle aside, The Rough & Tumble show a decided finesse. The duo — consisting of personal and professional partners Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler — have been plying their skills and perfecting their craft for over a decade, and With Only This Far, they effectively sum up the ups and downs of their journey so far.
 
As one might expect, there’s plenty of profound emotion evident in each of these songs, from the yearning and longing of both “The Weather” and “Homesick” to the ominous overtures of “God of War”. So too, the rousing refrains of “A Little Less” and the plucking and picking that drives “Key of G”, “Trouble”, and “Get Your Shows On” help stir the senses. At the same time, the confident caress of “Isn’t What I Thought” and “Shallow Fall” add to the air of intimacy that pervades the album overall.
 
Between the Tyler and Graham themselves, this ‘big little band’ show their skills on a variety of instruments, maintaining a decidedly down home posture that allows their effusive harmonies to take center stage. That’s not to say they don’t have plenty of help in the process. Producer/guitarist Dave Coleman, keyboardist Zach Vinson, drummer Chris Benelli, and back-up vocalists Doug and Telisha Williams, Alice Wallace all lend support as well.
 
Even so, Only This Far remains not only an expressive album, but one embellished with tender trappings and unfettered emotion. There’s an emphasis on solidarity and support that finds absolute fruition on “Your Corner” (quite naturally), while lead track “Ain’t That the Way” is a stoic song about the assurance and perseverance it takes to fight the way forward.

Clearly then, this is a dedicated duo, one committed to the cause of sharing both music and messaging whenever and wherever their freewheeling lifestyle affords them opportunity to do so. In that regard, it’s a most significant offering. Only This Far clearly bodes well for the fine future that lies before them. (by Lee Zimmerman)
 
Listen and buy the music of The Rough & Tumble from AMAZON
For more information, please visit The Rough & Tumble website