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PEARL HANDLED REVOLVER AND THEIR STUNNING NEW ALBUM, TALES YOU LOSE: A REVIEW.
- Scott O'Shea
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Captivating Brit rock crew PEARL HANDLED REVOLVER continue their resurgence with their immersing new album, Tales You Lose, which is out on Friday 18th April. The UK quintet have also revealed their enthralling new single and video, Junkies, out now
PEARL HANDLED REVOLVER have consistently produced music and releases that ignite and awaken the senses. Ever since their formation in 2009, the Bedford based rockers have released five self-produced studio albums, two live albums, and four EPs. Almost effortlessly merging heavy rock, blues, and prog, with nuances of jazz to their intoxicating sound, PEARL HANDLED REVOLVER have a definitive chemistry and songwriting prowess that is so impressive.
The darkly fivesome have racked up extensive critical praise with Classic Rock Magazine, Fireworks, Powerplay Magazine, Rhythm, and Louder Than War notably supporting the band. The much acclaimed combo have also played throughout the UK and Europe and have shared stages with everyone from The Black Crowes, Groundhogs, Focus, UB40, Stray, Hawkwind, Karl Palmer, Don Airey, and Blockheads, to Jethro Tull.
PEARL HANDLED REVOLVER’s next piece to their expansive and alluring discography is their stunning new album, Tales You Lose. The release again pushes the envelope and is destined to be their most celebrated work to date.
The record has already grabbed the attention of major press with Prog magazine, Powerplay, Hard Rock Hell Mag, and Fireworks Magazine, all massively backing the album.
A raft of live performances and festivals are in the works for the rest of the year, as well as new videos and more. For up to date announcements, hit up the band’s official website.
Novacaine Rating: 10/10 - Full Album Review: Tales You Lose
Written By: Scott O'Shea
To borrow a line from the great Bee, Barry B. Benson: “Do ya like jazz?” Well—not exactly jazz, but imagine a heady cocktail of heavy rock, progressive blues, and just a splash of jazz stirred in for good measure. It might not roll off the tongue easily, but what does come out effortlessly is our reaction to Pearl Handled Revolver’s upcoming album, Tales You Lose—a sonic trip we've had the privilege of previewing.
Kicking off the new album is the 10-minute-long masterpiece "Black Rock", a track that effortlessly showcases the sheer talent within Pearl Handled Revolver. It opens with a smooth, almost meditative calm before gradually building into what can only be described as a full-blown, jazz-fueled frenzy. By the end, you’re either vibing in your seat or absolutely possessed, shredding away on an imaginary guitar. This track gives off serious Deep Purple energy—like they collided head-on with Black Sabbath’s Planet Caravan—resulting in a psychedelic trip so potent, you won’t need anything else. Pearl Handled Revolver delivers the only hit of magic you'll ever need.
Next up is "Heart of Gold", which once again eases in with that smooth, sultry style—but this time, I swear I hear Jim Morrison channeling through my speakers. Jim, is that you? The vocals ooze that same smoky, hypnotic charm. Then, right around the halfway mark, the band flips a mental switch and launches into yet another jazz-infused frenzy—this time with a punch that demands your full attention. It’s unexpected, electric, and totally gripping.
Who's ready to groove? Headbang? Air piano? All of the above? You're in luck—"Gilding the Lily" is up next, and this one will have you moving in every possible way. It's funky, it's electric, and it's downright infectious, cranking the energy of the album up another notch. Whether you're dancing, headbanging, or jamming out on imaginary keys, this track makes sure you're feeling it.
Woahhh—let’s slow things down for a minute. Grab a glass of wine, take a breath, and listen. If you weren’t already captivated, you will be now. “Lightning” isn’t just a song—it’s a story straight from the soul. The vocals guide you like a trusted narrator, while the guitar lifts you gently skyward. It’s tender, powerful, and dripping with emotion—an intimate moment in an album full of wild energy.
So far, this album is a true rollercoaster—but it’s one I already can’t wait to ride all over again.
Right, let’s get back to it, shall we? “Courageous” is up next, and that’s exactly how this track kicks off—courageous. It builds that anticipation of a jazz-infused breakdown from the very start, then hits you straight in the soul. But just when you think you’ve been lifted, it pulls you right back down to earth with those smooth, gritty vocals, funky guitars, and that organ—my guy is going for it! And honestly, I have no idea what that other instrument is, but damn—it’s working. All I can say is, I never thought I'd be rocking the stank face to any track on this album, but this one had me doing exactly that, totally vibing.
Ready to be taken out of this world? Or maybe even straight back to the 80s? Well then, “Space Invader” is just the track for you! It crashes into your eardrums with pure, electrifying energy. And while this one’s already out now, it’s nothing like what you might expect after what you’ve read so far. This track is a true testament to Pearl Handled Revolver’s raw passion for music, perfectly showcasing their insane talent and versatility. Someone needs to make a Space Invaders movie and have this as the theme song, seriously.
Okay, maybe we got a little too excited earlier, but trust us, the hype’s far from over. Up next, “Hammer” crashes in right after the adrenaline-packed “Space Invaders”. It might pull the tempo back a notch, but the groove remains just as infectious, leaving you with that sweet afterburn of energy. You’re still riding high on the rock ‘n’ roll buzz, expertly blended with blues, prog, and jazz. Pearl Handled Revolver really nailed it with this one—pun intended. But seriously, jumping straight from that into pure funky blues rock, gritty, powerful vocals, and every instrument you can think of... I just can’t get enough!
Sadly, the next track is the final one on the album... but hold on tight, because we’re about to dive headfirst into some serious rock ‘n’ roll, baby! "Junkies" is here to round off the album perfectly, it ends on an absolute high, leaving you hungry for more. Pearl Handled Revolver harnesses all the energy they’ve built up throughout the ride and channels it into... wait for it... another 10-minute epic? YES PLEASE!
Overall, Pearl Handled Revolver has absolutely outdone themselves with Tales You Lose, which drops on April 18th, 2025. And get this—it’s yet another independent release. Honestly, it’s mind-blowing, considering the insane quality of this album.
Tales You Lose is a true masterpiece, a heartfelt homage to Rock ‘N’ Roll at its finest. They’ve seamlessly blended Rock, Blues, Prog, and Jazz into a sound that hits every note just right, and I’m all for it. This is a release you DO NOT want to miss, and trust me, that’s coming from someone who thrives on artists that scream into my ears 24/7!
Check out the band at: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0oxhcPPMiA02kIDMoFvLnH .
Pearl Handled Revolver Online:
Pearl Handled Revolver are:
Lee Vernon: Lead Vocal / Harmonica;
Simon Rinaldo: Organ / Electric Piano / Synthesizer;
Lucas Rinaldo: Bass Guitar / Guitar;
Andy Paris: Guitar, Backing Vocals;
Chris Thatcher: Drums, Backing Vocals.
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