Predominantly a drums and guitar outfit, San Francisco country-punk duo Two Gallants plays raspy, anthemic songs that would go over well at taverns and firesides. Their sophomore release, What the Toll Tells, is a sprawling album that swaggers and stumbles through rowdy, cathartic story-songs, adding violins for high drama and ravaged back-up vocals for that extra oomph to pump your fist to.

Though named after a story by James Joyce, these fictive songwriters are likely better fans of Mark Twain: standout tracks include "Las Cruces Jail," a catchy tune about a caged murderer planning an escape into America's wild rural past, and "Long Summer Day," an affecting, if oddly-vicarious tale from the vantage of an African American man, circa 1965, about to rise up against his white oppressors. The nine-minute closing track, "Waves of Grain," is an anti-war song filed with purple-phrased anger toward the Bush administration's international policies.

These songs clearly have guts -- though too many of them might be what is ailing this record. After a few tracks large with legend, listening to this album stab too hard and too often gets to be a tire. What the Toll Tells would make a great soundtrack for a cross-country drive, but as with the majestic scenery, which can be wonderful while it's reeling past, you eventually want to make it to a destination.