Lucky Elephant - Starsign Trampoline

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 7 / 10 / 2009

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Review

From the opening eponymous instrumental track which grabs the attention straight away with its childlike qualities conjuring up images of a day at the fairground one gets the feeling that this debut album which was totally written, performed, produced and mixed by the four members of Lucky Elephant, is going to be one of those albums that is not going to be like anything else you’ve ever heard. Not being technical enough to know if it’s down to the fact that the album was recorded on 2” analogue tape or not but there is no denying the warm, summery feel that prevails throughout this album. Of course it could also be due to the unusual array of instruments that the band utilises; when was the last time you read that ukulele, Farfisa Pianorgan, Wurlitzer, Roland S13 Synth, harmonium and melodica were used on the same album? That’s only a third of the instruments that this band put to good use. Whatever the reason, and it could simply be that the four-piece have the ability to seemingly write catchy, hook-laden songs that are going to evoke carefree hot summer days, for the most part anyway, ‘Star Sign Trampoline’ really is an unexpected treat. In spite of using instruments that are all too rarely used these days the band succeeds in creating a fresh, contemporary sound. One of their most obvious attractions is the fact that vocalist Emmanuel ‘Manu’ Labescat doesn’t try to conceal his French upbringing by attempting to sound anything other than…well, French actually and it’s not so often we get to hear English language songs being sung in such a fine accent. It adds a different texture to the songs obviously but it’s a welcome one and although Manu sounds incredibly young in his vocals there is something appealing in his voice that actually makes you take notice the second he starts singing. There’s a sense of melancholy running through the album which strangely just adds to the warmth generated by the instruments and overall sound of the album. There are three instrumentals on the album and although ‘When You Fall To Earth’ also has a childlike quality to it like the opening instrumental (probably due in no small part to the use of Glockenspiel on the track) there is this underlying feeling that all is not quite right; while listening to the song the first time I was transported back to a cinema many years ago as ‘Tubular Bells’ played while I attempted to watch the film ‘The Exorcist’. Maybe not all of the album is so summery after all… The other song that is totally vocal-less is ‘Burn Down the Acres’ which again has a melody that won’t leave you alone even long after the song has faded and which you feel would also have been less affective had the band written lyrics to it. It’s in the running for the saddest piece of music I’ve heard all year but still I keep returning to it again and again. There’s a neat touch where, just as you think the song is going to fade out at around the five minute mark, it kind of takes off again for another thirty seconds and in that short space of time the band lift the sadness in the most subtle way to leave you with a feeling of optimism. The lyrics are printed in a booklet that accompanies the CD but it’s not really needed to hear what Manu is singing as his vocals are clear as a bell but they do make for interesting reading. I’m not too sure what lines such as “And the satellites are shooting buffalos” or “and the iceberg is our ageing dreams” actually mean but many of the lyrics that are not so obscure do make sense. And anyway, a little mystery and interpreting lyrics to suit yourself is never such a bad thing. So, an album which stands on its own and sounds like no other album released this year can’t be a bad thing especially when it is as accessible as this collection of songs.

Track Listing:-

1 Lucky Elephant
2 Edgar
3 Red Ties vs the Bees
4 The Pier
5 Modern Life
6 Reverend Tilsley & His Magic Lantern
7 Burn Down the Acres
8 Call It the End (The Beginning)
9 When You Fall to Earth
10 Neptune
11 Time Bomb
12 Seeing Venice (Bonus Track)

Band Links:-

https://twitter.com/luckyelephant_
https://www.facebook.com/luckyelephant

Label Links:-

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https://instagram.com/sundaybestrecord
https://www.facebook.com/sundaybestrec
https://www.youtube.com/user/sundaybes
http://www.sundaybest.net/
https://plus.google.com/10541644046817