Elevant - There is a Tide
by Lisa Torem
published: 7 / 3 / 2016
Label:
Elevant Music
Format: CD
intro
Intriguing mix of hard-driving originals on third album from Liverpool-based trio, Elevant
Liverpool’s dynamic band Elevant has just released ‘There is a Tide.’ The trio consists of Michael Edward, lead vocalist and guitarist, Hannah Lodge, bass, organist and backin vocals, and percussionist/keyboardist Tom Shand—Shand. The three artists co-wrote all the tracks except for ‘Last Man Standing’, which was penned and performed by Edward. The first track, 'I’m Only Falling Apart’, features wild riffs, outrageous drumming and embracing harmonies. Edward tears his heart out vocally. The instrumental textures grow more maddening at every point, an intriguingly low dirge punctures and punctuates. It all winds down with a fairy tale ending. Definitely epic. ‘Audience’ begins benignly. Edward’s voice gradually grows desperate. “We’ve forgotten to talk/We can only interface,” he interjects. Full-out cacophony ultimately presides. It morphs into a gripping whirlpool of vast emotion. Fantastic call-and-response between vocalist and guitar features in ‘Home is Dead.’ Suburbia never felt so chilling. It grows richer and richer by way of creative transition. “I see you around/I like your dress,” Edward comments. It’s a definitive and delightful non-sequitor which brings to mind Bowie, the Velvet Underground and Zappa. ‘Last Man Standing’ has a clean, acoustic beginning. It contrasts well with the heavy dramatics of the preceding songs. Although the lyric is sparse, it generates tons of emotion. (The reprise doesn’t necessarily add more to the story). “Human greed is infectious,” Edward pounds. On ‘We Eat Our Young’ the band rips through the unorthodox lyric with an all-consuming commitment to the theme and with unrestrained rage. The excellent percussion reigns king. ‘Pink Pond’ illustrates that Elevant has the chops to create singular ballads. It’s fun to hear lead guitar and vocals double on this amiable romp. The story starts out brightly - “Springtime flowers smell like memories” bliss us out but then we’re forced to deal with isolation: “Just enough empty house.” ‘Again Again’ is one more hard-hitting rocker on an album that consistently builds solid momentum. Intrepid Elevant refuses to limit themselves to one or two genres. This song shows how very well they focus on emotional depth. ‘Hand Over Fist’ and ‘Dead Skin’ are gritty, palpable and over-the-top but evocative too. In essence, Elevant’s razor-sharp “There is a Tide’ is a killer.
Track Listing:-
1 I'm Only Falling Apart2 Audience
3 Home Is Dead
4 Last Man Standing
5 We Eat Our Young
6 Last Man Standing (Reprise)
7 Pink / Pond
8 Again
9 Again, Pt. 2
10 Hand over Fist
11 Dead Skin
Band Links:-
http://elevantband.com/https://elevant.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ElevantMusik/
https://twitter.com/ElevantBand
https://www.youtube.com/user/Shedlad93
https://plus.google.com/109652559997921557213
soundcloud
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
most viewed reviews
current edition
Serious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning DewMarika Hackman - Big Sigh
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart