Gloriana (Deluxe Version)

iTunes Review

Two guys, two gals and a whole lot of harmonies — that’s the essence of Gloriana. The quartet comes across as a Nashville-friendly version of ‘70s-era country-rock, with Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsay Buckingham an obvious reference point. Like the Mac, Gloriana enjoys melding romantic desperation with assertive acoustic guitar work. “Wild At Heart” and “How Far Do You Wanna Go?” in particular strike the right note of youthful urgency and longing. The band shows off its softer side on tracks like the sultry “Change Your Mind” and the honeyed “The Way It Goes.” While all four singers hold their own, Cheyenne Kimball and Rachel Reinert display the most individual character in their featured moments. On “You Said” and “Lead Me On,” Kimball stirs up enough bedroom angst to invite comparisons with Miranda Lambert. If there’s one aspect of the band that’s undeniable, it’s their seamless, slightly keening vocal blend, shown to best advantage on soaring numbers like “If You’re Leavin’” and more reflective tunes like “Time to Let Me Go.”