There are frightful few bands in Christian music that seem all that interested in keeping the flame of good old fashioned rock and roll burning. Post-this and alterna-that thinking dominates the affections of an increasingly MTV-weaned crop of artists and the "me-too" fixated labels. Real rock bands don't do well in Christian music, or so goes the thinking. Don't tell that to the triple Gold certified Third Day, though, or the newest champions of tube amps, real drums, and epic hooks, The Elms.
Fortunately for fans of the genre, and the increased credibility of the young Indiana-based band, The Elms have resisted the temptation to go Brit-Garage ala The Hives or The Vines, and instead have put together a brilliant sophomore effort that might have fans of Tom Petty, Cheap Trick, The Black Crowes, The Stones, early Cars or even, gasp, The Beatles sitting up and paying attention. With taught production by Brent Milligan and a batch of killer tunes written by dapper front man Owen Thomas, The Elms have followed their impressive debut The Big Surprise with an even better second effort.
From swirling Brian Wilson haunted ditties ("Burn and Shine,") to blistering near-cribs of The Black Crowes, ("You Saved Me," "Come To Me") clear through to a soaringly melodic ballad, ("Smile At Life Again") they cover all the bases like veterans. Truth, Soul and Rock and Roll contains all of the above, with a healthy dose of classic rock swagger to drive it all home. Hopefully they'll be backed with some long-term support and allowed to grow the following they so obviously deserve, because this is too good a band to lose.
Editors' ratings — Doug 2.5/5, David 2/5
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by John WilsonThe Elms' first album, 2001's Big Surprise, split critics into two camps. Some hailed it as a glorious throwback to the British pop of the sixties, while others, most notably HM, condemned it as an overproduced, slick pop record that refused to be daring. Apparently some of the criticism hit home, for the press materials on the Elms' new album, Truth, Soul, Rock & Roll, use phrases like "searing…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Josh McConnellSparrow Records' rock group The Elms have returned for round two in their musical career. While it's avowedly an interesting diversion, some might have a hard time converting over from their old sound to the new. Yes, they've changed their sound. And as soon as you pop the album into your player you will notice the change when the first track ("Speaking In Tongues") commences. Sure, there are…Similar sounding releases
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