Element 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 licks. Throw in some rather uninspiring lyrics and you get the picture. Lead vocalist Crissie Verhagen has a pretty good voice, but spends too much time trying to leap through a whole regimen of vocal gymnastics that you don't really get a sense of what she is capable of. And while I hate lumping all groups with female lead singers together, Element 101 sounds like nothing more than just another warmed-over Benjamin Gate or Superchic(k).
Okay, so now that I've ticked off at least half of the world's population, I'll admit that this disc has some decently crafted pop songs. But if that ain't what you're looking for, you better look elsewhere.
2.5 tocks
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 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
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