Comprised of guitarist/ singer- songwriter Christopher Tolle and drummer Jake Cardwell, The Belles’ first offering is "Omerta", roughly translating as the code of silence. The album opens with the beautiful "So I Sing", yet this is culled barely a minute in by the Elliot Smith- esque (Who will be here) to hear?, a gentle acoustic and slide guitar strum along. Omerta features many nods to the late Smith- stripped down guitars and brutally honest lyrics. Take the self- introspective Victory Parade and Estranged (“Have you ever felt so disconnected? Have you ever felt so intertwined?”)
The album veers between organ-led ballads (Omerta), droll lyrics (Little Mexican’s wry tale of prostitution) and Cardwell’s diverse drumming technique. The highpoint of this debut is undoubtedly the present single release "Never Said Anything", the perfect pop song, encapsulated by the blissful vocals of Christopher Tolle and a string of infectious acoustic licks.
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