ALBUM REVIEWS
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ALBUM REVIEWS |
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Elliot Minor
ELLIOT MINOR REPOSSESSION RECORDS 21.4.08 @www.vanguard-online.co.uk I have fallen head over heels in love with Elliot Minor. Apart from the fact that they’re Yorkshire lads (which helps), they have a lot more talent than anyone seems to want to give them credit for, and their self-titled debut album shows it off perfectly. Although some of the songs are similar, they’re not the same and each holds its own relatively well. The song “Time After Time” is a perfect introduction to the Elliot Minor sound. They’re mainly a light hearted, pop rock boy band with lingering traces of the Busted and McFly initiative. The piano on this song is spectacular – the intensity of the sound varies beautifully to match the atmosphere of the song. Yet this isn’t the only approach the band has adopted. “Parallel Worlds” is still recognisably Elliot Minor but its faster, deeper, more thought provoking. The whole song is charged with musical electricity that makes it impossible to ignore. It is embellished with immense orchestration, something completely unexpected from a band so young and so obviously catering to their target audience. They don’t seem afraid to be experimental, although there’s always the chance that this is just another way of making themselves stand out in a fiercely competitive market. “The White One Is Evil” is the third track on the album and stands out most for its pitch perfect three way vocal harmonies – this is difficult stuff, both to write and to pull off vocally. Yet they manage it, the harmony by guitarist Ed Minton especially impressive. “The Liar Is You” and “Lucky Star” slow things down a bit, making good use of the band’s classical past. (Between them, the band can play the violin, piano, cello, clarinet, double bass and saxophone.) “Jessica” is one of the band’s most popular songs. Its lyrics focus solely around the boys’ joint favourite famous actress, Jessica Alba, and makes me reminisce hazily of Busted’s “Britney” single. “Broken Minor” is the most interesting song on the album. When I interviewed Dan Hetherton, the drummer, he said to me that Broken Minor “is the song that best represents what Elliot Minor could become” and I agree with him wholeheartedly. This song has a little bit of everything – a little sad, a little optimistic, a little simple and a little complex that flow together to make something intriguing if not entirely to your liking. I could say something about every single song on this album, and I almost already have, but the best way to really comprehend the depth of the sound behind the teen-attracting outward appearance of Elliot Minor is to experience it. I would recommend “Parallel Worlds” as the best song to download or listen to, followed by “Broken Minor”. I remain in love with this band and would happily see them over and over. Plus, they gave me a free t-shirt, which always helps. www.elliotminor.com |