Review Summary: Sam's bedroom; a place of life discussions, hindsight, and some surprisingly real music
Life can at times be a shockingly difficult thing to navigate through, and if anyone knows that it's Sam: lead singer of Elephantelephone. He has seen the captivation of life's good moments and the brutality of the bad moments. He has felt love, and he has lost it, all while never losing himself. Recorded by a few friends in their spare time, this seven song ep shows that more than anything. Over swinging, folk-influenced guitar and the occasional bouncing piano and well timed ukulele riffs, Sam belts lines about life, God, and the state of the world in such a fluid and genuine way you can't help but believe him. The music that's backing his admittedly flawed but passionate vox is a unique blend taking many elements of jazz, blues, folk, and today's indie scene. These elements are thrown together in a chill, flowing way which spawns a unique and satisfying atmosphere to support Sam's vocals.
Though "chill" music can occasionally get lost in mundanity, Elephantelephone haven't let that rob them of their proficiency. The general laid-back feel of the music doesn't seem to hamper the ability for individuals to shine when the time is right, like the powerful saxophone in the track "On the Radio" which serves to tie the entire piece together as it soars seductively over the swinging guitar. The band also has a resounding acknowledgement of the importance of atmosphere, and use it to truly captivate emotion in songs that seem to slow down or change at all the right times, making plenty of those moments that bring you back wanting another listen. Lyrically, they range from intensely deep moments, like "She says my lifestyle doesn't please god. But, oh god where the hell have you been all of my life-"(Going Home(Fading Fast)) to moments of hindsight like on "I Should Have Known" as Sam sings lines of regret over not opening enough doors or writing enough love songs.
In the end, this is lo-fi indie folk done right; Nothing more than a few friends recording a thoroughly solid collection of acoustic songs with intense, intellectual and self-reflective lyrics on top of interesting music with a pop sensibility. What Elephantelephone's lead singer lacks in technical singing ability he makes up for with his stage presence and ability to write catchy and lyrical music. Each of the instruments hold their own and shine respectively on their own songs. "On the Radio" wouldn't be the same without Bob Gay's musical prowess on the saxophone, nor would "I Should Have Known" been the ballad it is without the smooth piano holding it all together. The guitar subtly glides its way through every song, making its presence known at all times and really solidifying all the songs. When the culmination of the album's worth is experienced and the last notes of "She Said She Fell" have faded out, one realizes that they have just listened to an indie folk gem, unacknowledged at it's release but still resoundingly one of the better indie folk releases in recent memory.
Pros
Great lyrics
Feeling of constant flow
Unique blend of styles
Free
Seductive saxophone
Cons
His voice may not be your style
Not especially technical music
Recommended Tracks: Going Home(Fading Fast), I Should Have Known, On the Radio, She Said She Fell
