Elf Power's latest album, "Walking With the Beggar Boys," marks a definite change in sound and style for Athen, Georgia's underground cult favorites. New members Eric Harris (Olivia Tremor Control) and Craig McQuiston (The... more » Glands) join longtime members Andrew Rieger, Laura Carter and Aaron Wegelin, reinventing the band both musically and lyrically. Musically, the band is all over the map this time, going from sleazy T Rex rockers to psychedelic electronica and blown-out Southern boogie romps ("Never Believe" even features a duet with folk/rock legend Vic Chesnutt). Lyrically, the band foregoes the abstract supernatural imagery of their past releases for a more straightforward lyrical approach, with songs about the effects of advertising in modern America, love songs and even strange, autobiographical stories about meeting up with a gang of beggar children in Warsaw. Elf Power's finest moment is here, so listen up!« less
Elf Power's latest album, "Walking With the Beggar Boys," marks a definite change in sound and style for Athen, Georgia's underground cult favorites. New members Eric Harris (Olivia Tremor Control) and Craig McQuiston (The Glands) join longtime members Andrew Rieger, Laura Carter and Aaron Wegelin, reinventing the band both musically and lyrically. Musically, the band is all over the map this time, going from sleazy T Rex rockers to psychedelic electronica and blown-out Southern boogie romps ("Never Believe" even features a duet with folk/rock legend Vic Chesnutt). Lyrically, the band foregoes the abstract supernatural imagery of their past releases for a more straightforward lyrical approach, with songs about the effects of advertising in modern America, love songs and even strange, autobiographical stories about meeting up with a gang of beggar children in Warsaw. Elf Power's finest moment is here, so listen up!
"Surprisingly enough, one of my favorite albums of 2004. I'd always viewed Elf Power as strictly second-tier among the ranks of the neo-pop-psychedelia bands under the Elephant 6 collective umbrella. They lacked the sheer pop chops of Apples in Stereo, the psychedelic craftsmanship of Olivia Tremor Control, and the lyrical intensity of Neutral Milk Hotel. But with most of those bands long gone, Elf Power rises to the occasion with a straightforward glam-infused rock album. Gone are the twisted, fantasy-infused story-songs of recent releases, and the lo-fi sonic meanderings. This stuff is straight-out catchy with no apologies. The title track is one of those riff-driven pop songs you can play 5 times straight and just keep going, and a few other songs come close. Any indie pop album that offers 4-5 tracks worthy of inclusion on your next upbeat mix tape is way ahead of the pack."
In it for the Long Haul...
Roger E. Hartley | Tucson, Arizona | 04/21/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Beggar Boys" has been reviewed by others as a change in direction by Elf Power, but EP fans know that this record exemplifies a long evolution of a veteran band that bridges many genres of rock with albums that blend psych-pop, punk, power pop, and genuinely nice ballads. This album has many incredible pop songs including "Never Believe", "Hole in my Shoe", and "Don't let it be." Not to be missed is the title track, which includes a guest appearance by songwriter/legend Vic Chesnutt. The title and Chesnutt appearance make you think "ballad" but you get a fun, poppy, sleazy little number that makes you want to sing it. "Drawing Flies" is also a Sleazy/70s/glammy rock kind of T-Rex hit...a MUST listen. Many indie rock bands are born, live, and die, but the "Beggar Boys" album made me think of Elf Power as a sophisticated group that has gone beyond existing on imagination and weirdness alone. They continue to learn, experiment, and write excellent songs. They are not growing...but have grown..and they are in it for the long haul."
Not a bad song on it!
Roger E. Hartley | 04/15/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great album period. This is the first album I've heard by Elf Power and I think it's a great introduction to the band. The album reminds me of a mix between T Rex and Superchunk. There's not a bad track from beginning to finish and the guitars sound phenominal. Hands down one of the best albums of 2004."
Purely magical little elves...........
B. Rosenthal | North Bergen, NJ United States | 03/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Whoa! Listening to this CD reminds one of hearing Rubber Soul for the first time - sheer pop bliss and nary a clunker on it (OK -track 6- skip it) I mean this is a fantastic release. Who cares for ratings, best album of 2004? -hooey! Just listen to these ten precious songs - the title cut maybe the best thing I've heard since 'me and mia' by the king Ted Leo...anyway the Elephant 6/Orange Twin thing can be a bit redundant, but this is a real masterpiece - Andrew and his fellow elves get much credit to this outstanding addtion to an already wonderful collection of songs/albums.
Get it."
Fantastic psychedelic pop rock! Most people will LOVE this!
C. Cross | 12/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Elf Power deserves to be big. They make such great psychedelic/post-rock influenced indie rock you have to wonder why they aren't widely recognized. This album in particular is great, although compared to its predecessors "Creatures" and "A Dream In Sound" you can tell its not AS good (though I think "The Stranger" is one of their best songs). Once again Andrew Rieger's voice is very soothing, even if he DOES go for a harder-edged sound this time around. Lyrically it's not really a concept album like the "Creatures" and "A Dream In Sound"; they're once again very memorable and catchy lyrics that make singing along pretty easy to do. It is, however, teeming with very catchy songs that contain occasionally great lyrics. It's one of their "worst" albums but still manages to be leagues ahead of other bands, and with every song here being great it's easy to see why it deserves a "5". Absolutely recommended!