My, my, look how you've grown.... New Jersey's Element 101 is no longer going to be pushed around by all the pop-punk haters. The band has found their sound, a sound I like to call "Jerpop." More like Stereo Girl than Future Plans Undecided, More Than Motion conveys Element 101's newfound confidence. Crissie Verhagen's sweet voice drips of her Jersey roots, and is even reminiscent of Joan Jett and Belinda Carlisle at times. On the first track, Element 101 shows off its new found love of guitar effects and technicality without losing a strong pop sense. "The Fragile" swoons and sways and towers over the listener. "This Time Around" is even better, with its emotional vocals and a wonderful pace. The songs in general on Motion take the listener in a lot of different directions while not dragging after multiple listens — something prior albums are guilty of. "Something Like a Dream" (tries to be punk) and "A Song" (Crissie isn't the lead singer) are probably the weakest tracks, but some growing pains are to be expected.
Editors' ratings - Doug 2.5/5, Jason 3/5
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis October 2002Reviewed by Matt ModrichElement 101 is a five-piece, girl-fronted band out of New Jersey. "More Than Motion" is Element 101's third album on Tooth and Nail Records. Element 101 had the reputation of being a punk band, but "More Than Motion" continues to move them away from that stereotype. Musically, over the past couple albums they've essentially evolved from The Halo Friendlies into Morella's Forest. "More than…Art for the Ears 2002Reviewed by Marco PovervestWith More Than Motion this girl fronted rock band is straying away from its punk pop roots. What you can hear is some real catchy melodic rock music that fits the fragile vocals of Crissie Verhagen much better. Yet she proves for the first time she can sound nasty as well in Something Like A Dream. This is candy coated stuff that'll do great on mainstream radio with poppy rock songs and a real…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Ken MuellerElement 101 is back with their third release from Tooth & Nail Records, and maybe it's just me, but this band just doesn't seem to have the energy, drive, or muscle that most of the label's bands seem to exude. Or as a friend says, they are "rather sedated" for what they are being marketed as by T&N. What we have here is some rather basic pop-leaning rock laced with some 80s guitar and keyboard…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Matthew WilliamsLike a Camry firing on three cylinders, the third release from Element 101 made it through ten songs. "Made it" being the key phrase. Far from the edgy, in-your-face style of their other Tooth & Nail labelmates, the New Jersey quintet brings More than Motion, a collection of ten safe tunes, which wander far from the punk label they've garnered in the past. The album opener, "Fade Away", begins…Similar sounding releases
2002SpartaWiretap Scars
2005VedaThe Weight of an Empty Room
2004Poor Man's RichesEnergy
1997Dream TheaterFalling into Infinity
2003Re:ZoundRe:Worship
2001Student RickSoundtrack for a Generation
