Indiana quartet, The Elms, have the potential to be Christian rock's next big thing. With a style formerly dubbed "power pop," the band's debut album The Big Surprise captures nuances of well-known groups like PFR, The Waiting, Cheap Trick and The Replacements, while still managing to sneak in a distinctive sound sure to identify them. This is a band that will be all over Christian radio this summer.
The album opens with the track "Hey Hey", with a cheerleader type chant opening the song. This is an infectious, guitar-driven number that sticks with you, while it reminds us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, while still having fun in our lives.
hey hey guys, hey hey guys
what's the prize?
If you want it...
Hey hey girls, hey hey girls
What's the world got to offer?
"The Buzzing Won't Stop!" sounds like a Replacements tune, if that band had been fronted by Thom Yorke of Radiohead. "Who's Got the Meaning?" is another offering that Paul Westerberg would be proud to call his own.
Owen Thomas' vocals sound like a more polished version of Mark Robertson (A Ragamuffin Band). This is especially evident of songs such as "The Buzzing Won't Stop" and "A Minute to Ourselves". "You Get Me Every Time" could be the next single for The Waiting, which isn't surprising, considering that Producer Brent Milligan has worked with both bands.
"Lifeboat" speaks of our need to rely on God in tough times:
When I am scared, you are my Father.
When I can't breathe, you are the air
When I can't swim, you are the lifeboat
When I'm tired and weary, You are there.
"You're Glowing" is reminiscent of Material Issue, or Cheap Trick. The influences on this album are numerous, but that doesn't take away from the presentation here: this is a great beginning for a young band that has the potential to entertain and minister to us for years to come.
Ironically, the title track seems to be the weakest here. To my ears, it's overdone musically, and the bombast drowns out the lyrics, leaving them lost in the mix.
With this album, and PFR's upcoming release, 2001 should be an exciting summer for those who enjoy songs you can sing along to with the windows down on a summer afternoon.
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Rebel Base 2001Reviewed by Josh HurstAs a music critic, one of the most frustrating feelings in the world is when I hear a band that I really like, but they aren't particularly good. The Elms is a band that personifies this dilemma nicely. On the one hand, The Elms' debut full-length record, Big Surprise, boasts insanely catchy melodies, simple-yet-effective instrumentation, and some overall satisfying lyrics. On the other hand, The…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Ken MuellerThere has been a lot of buzz about this album, with everyone talking about the infectious, intelligent pop of The Elms. Unfortunately, the disc does not live up to those expectations. The big surprise with "Big Surprise" is that it comes off like the latest in a long list of "Hey, look, I signed to a major CCM label" releases. Most of the buzz I have heard comes from their indie days, but now…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Bert GanglDespite the relative youth of its members, The Elms are hardly newcomers to the pop/rock scene. Founded in 1996 by siblings Owen and Chris Thomas, the band, then known as Just Visiting, spent several months playing concerts and festivals before entering the studio to record their first independent album, Gardenshow. The group's second indie album, Just Visiting, followed in 1998. After changing…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Aaron BellIt takes a special kind of music to be truly fun. This release from The Elms is that kind of music. It's summer music, the kind of stuff you put on at a backyard barbecue or a day at the beach throwing a frisbee around. It's fun! The opening track "Hey Hey" is a nice start with its mix of Euro-pop/rock and horns. It is a nice summer sound which would make the perfect addition to a summer…Similar sounding releases
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