The 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 guitars," "equal parts sweat and raw power," and "loud, raw, and honest." Evocative description, yes, but the payoff just isn't there. As a whole, it seems more like a sequel to Big Surprise than any sort of new sound.
Opener "Speaking In Tongues" had me hooked, though. The space of the first verse and chorus alone recall recent Ghoti Hook, The English Beat, and Third Day. In fact, the verses sound like they were lifted directly from The English Beat's "Mirror In The Bathroom." "All The While Having Fun" and "You Got No Room To Talk" feature some straight-ahead guitar playing, "Go Toward The Glow" is a jangly little number that wears its Beatles influence on its sleeve. "Through The Night" boasts a chorus that's one of the best on the album.
However, there's also a downside to Rock & Roll. "You Saved Me," "Come To Me," and "Burn & Shine" all sound like they came directly from Big Surprise and add nothing to the record. For an album with "Rock & Roll" in the title, there is very little rock to be found.
Truth, Soul, Rock & Roll does show an improvement over the band's debut, as they mix in some new influences and put more emphasis on the guitars. The Elms are a good band, and Brent Milligan's slick, CCM-friendly production can't hide that. If the band was on an indie label, I think they could put out a great record. Taken on its own merits, it's not a bad album. But Sparrow tries to market it as a gritty rock record, and that's not even close.
3 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #99Reviewed by John J. ThompsonThere 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…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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