Ever since the Beatles and the birth of the concept album, consumers have become accustomed to holding extremely high expectations for each new album release. In truth, many albums are never as preconceived as we might expect them to be. Instead, most albums are comprised of the best songs that happen to fit together in one package. Take this new Jeff Elbel + Ping release, for example. What began to create a four-song EP to sell at a concert, became a sample platter for the upcoming Meet Your Maker concept album (there's that term again), plus a few new songs and covers. It's impossible to appreciate a truly great movie from its trailer alone, so the songs from Maker act more as a tease than anything close to a satisfying listening experience within this format. Far better are the new songs like "Back into the Cage," which every loving father will relate to, and the album-ending cover of Gene Eugene's "Songwork." Elbel, who is best known for his work with Farewell To Juliet, has a pleasingly sincere voice, and is backed by plenty of well-played acoustic guitar, sometimes spiced with nice touches of harmonica. All of which should make one glad Elbel decided to let No Outlet out.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Brian A. SmithJeff Elbel has been around. As a member of Farewell to Juliet, he has played the New Band Showcase stage at Cornerstone twice. He has done session work with Blackball and LSU. He has written and recorded with Sunny Day Roses and EDL. He has produced Thee Spivies, Officer Negative, Mike Knott, Brian Healy, and the Hopescope. Now, he has formed another band, Ping, and released an acoustic project…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Dave KerschbaumIt started out simple enough: record an EP to have ready at a benefit concert. However, band personnel changes forced Jeff Elbel (formerly of Farewell to Juliet and Sunny Day Roses) to postpone the project. Long story short, the four-song EP that Elbel and friends planned to have ready for last September's concert to benefit Gene Eugene never materialized. Instead, Elbel and his heavily-populated…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Chris MacIntoshI had been familiar with the work that Jeff Elbel had done in the past with Farewell To Juliet and had enjoyed it sufficiently enough to check out this debut project by his new band Ping. They had a tune on the Daniel Amos tribute disc, so I kind of knew what to expect. I can honestly say that this is a thoroughly enjoyable album. From what I understand, this is somewhat of a teaser for a fully…Similar sounding releases
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