How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Not applicable
Value for Money
Excellent
Advantages:
The different alternatveness off the band
Disadvantages:
it has to end : (
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Depending on what kind of music you like, what music channels you watch on the million and one generic satellite services there are, or which of the radio stations you listen to will have a bearing on the likelihood of you having heard of Elliot Minor.
To be honest they aren't a band that have played shy from the limelight, but they have certainly provided those of us who have known the group through obscurity, with a few laughs, giggles and smiles with their online blogs on you tube and featured on their Myspace page. Following their way to success and popularity. Or at least as popular as they are for the moment.. Maybe their popularity will grow.. Fingers crossed..!
For many bands nowadays exposure is a difficult thing to come by, with so much music and limited airspace on mainstream channels and radio stations. So for the past few years the alternative method of self-promotion, has brought so many of my newest and favourite bands onto the scene. This self promotion is called MYSPACE… All bow down to its greatness..
( Actually don't bother it isn't quite that good - maybe the novelty has worn off after all these years..!)
The Band
The band is: Alex Davies Ed Minton Ed 'Teddy' Hetherton Ali Paul Dan Hetherton
The whole group shocking as it may seem for their edgy modern pop-rock mix, are classically trained. A bunch of highly talented boys who through their time have been choristers. Alex, Dan and Ali were all choristers at York Minister Choir School . Ed Minton originally from Japan started his education at the age of eight in England, where he progressed to head chorister in 1999/2000..!
Now if you want to be jealous of the pure talent of these boys check out between them the instruments they can play…..
Violin Piano Clarinet Cello Saxophone Double Bass
Now that is talented..!
The Track Listing
Time After Time .. 3.55 Parallel Worlds .. 3.42 The White One is Evil .. 4.29 Liar is You .. 3.58 Lucky Star .. 3.01 Jessica .. 3.12 The Broken Minor .. 5.46 Still Figuring Out .. 3.29 Silently .. 5.13 Running Away .. 3.22 Last Call to New York City .. 6.01
Okay so as you might expect from the little bit of background I have given about the guys, that this album isn't going to be anything in the ordinary realm of rock-star metal or mainstream music mixed with a little rock and some heavy guitar riffs here and there..! it's a little more complicated and much more alternative than that..! To be honest these guys give a new meaning to the words Alternative in the music world..
The Tracks
1. Time After Time .. 3.55 As you would expect or a classically trained band, track one begins with some nice gentle piano, before breaking into lyric. One of the things I enjoy about this band is the distinct different between Alex and Ed's voices. The original unpolished version of this song I heard has a more pronounces gunshot, in the music where a gunshot is mentioned. Unfortunately that has been removed but the rest of the track sounds great with the sounds of accompanying instruments. They all make the song stand out even more. Thankfully the guys do not over power the song with unnecessary riffs and moments of musical trickery. Instead they let the brilliance of their lyrics shine through. Giving the image of someone repeating the best/worst day of their lives.. Maybe they read my mind as that is exactly how the video plays out.. Based around co-front man Alex repeating his day over and over until the end were he gets his girl..!
2. Parallel Worlds .. 3.42 This song never fails to get me singing.. (Not that that's a good thing unless you want it to rain lol..!) The lyrics may not be clever but the blend of guitar, piano, and drums is brilliant. The regular drum beat keeps the song in harmony. The guitar riff solo shoes off Alex's talent without being so long its seems he's showing off..! Asthis song progresses the harmony in their voices increase and by overlapping, ( not sure what the music term for this is..?) they sound almost like choir boys again. At the end of the song there is a musical instrumental interlude, which leads into the next track. This is a moment of spoils for the boys as they again display their social abilities. The band actually made two videos for this song, for both releases, personally I have a soft spot for the first video, it looked so fun to film with a supernatural theme and things flying all over the place. The second video set at a dinner party looked fun too..!
3. The White One is Evil .. 4.29 The White One is Evil is a strange song in my opinion. from what I can gather it seems to be about some evil young women so is tormenting and misbehaving. This song has a fairly regular guitar pattern and drum beat through the verse, and gets a bit more fun and dramatic during the chorus. It seems all their instrumental talent has been used here, again with a little drum and guitar solo.. And yet again some more choir like aspects.. The lyrics are fun lyrics that give you an odd image, one maybe that does not fit with the video the video is a little weird, a lot of fake smoke and oddly dressed people following the band around a set..!
4. Liar is You .. 3.58 The first of the slower tracks, that start again with some slow piano and carry on during the song with it.. Also there is a strong string influence to this song. This song is very slow compared to the previous three song.. It is one of those reflective songs that, give the lyrics that though provoking ability.. It also shows a more sensitive side to the guys as they seem a little heart broken. This track as I've said is slower but it is even slower than the first version I ever heard. This by no means makes it a back song it is just a change. Never the less when it comes to the little solo moments with the choir type singing and there is a kick in of more heavy guitars which is a kick back to the Elliot Minor style of the songs before..!
5. Lucky Star .. 3.01 From the beginning this song sounds more like a conventional alternative bands song, but there soon seems to be differences that set it aside from other songs.. For a starter from the more mellow beginning you wouldn't expect such a quick up of tempo, however this does do the song justice. Making the lyrics seem more urgent as the guitars seem to get more quick paced leading to the chorus. The lyrics seem to be reflecting a relationship, that hasn't quite worked but one member is still just as much in love with the other.. This track does not go without a little bit of instrumental shine.. There is a section of violins making the song stand out from the alternatives.
6. Jessica .. 3.12 This song is so undeniably about the one girl who every guy I know seems to at least have a little crush on.. Jessica Alba.. Oh don't get me wrong she is pretty..! Anyway.. This song is a return to the more upbeat happy songs from the beginning of the album, with a constant tinkling on the piano and the ever present drum beat keeping the band in harmony.. I'm sure the music dims every time a Jessica Alba film is mentioned.. Free advertisement..! However this song is brilliant the guitars are more rocky and a little more obvious than in the previous few tracks.. It does seem like a teenage track as they are devoted to someone they fancy so much..! Bless..! The ending of this song is simply fantastic as they begin to show of their guitar talent and make you get your air guitar out..!
7. The Broken Minor .. 5.46 This song is very classically orientated and designed if your sad or down to make you cry.. (Well it does me..! I'm not that insensitive lol..!) but only for the first thirty seconds, after that the rest of the band kicks in the vocals kick in and you want to sing.. It is such a powerful song with strong instruments and a more happy mood as it progresses it is a very musical orientated song..! Hence the name Broken minor..! Not that I'm really sure what it means not being to musical myself..! For a song that starts out a little saddened it ends on a high with high pitched voices and heavy guitars and the most amazing tune on the piano that I would love to be able to play..!
8. Still Figuring Out .. 3.29 The follow on from The Broken Minor leads into this song.. Yet another instrumental occurring here..! As much as I hated stardust the beginning to this song has a little twinkle that remind me of it..! This song I have heard so much when I first heard of them I heard it over and over yet I can't get bored of a song that has such a good meaning.. A simple one of keeping together with people you love but never the less is a good thought t retain..! There isn't too much showing off musically for this song just the usual awe inspiring riffs and drum beats and the ability to make you sing even if you don't know the words..!
9. Silently .. 5.13 A slow thoughtful deep song, that even if its hot will still give you goosebumps.. It is such a though-provoking song and the softness of Alex and Ed's voices, soothe you.. Oh I cant say how much I love this song.. It mainly focuses on their natural talents in the classical genre mixed with what sounds like a little acoustic guitar.. I really can't express how much I like with song without telling you I love it.! It is a must to listen to if you are undecided to buy the album or not..! The end of this song is so quiet and mundane with a quick instrumental burst.. Ohh goosebumps just sat here listening to it..!
10. Running Away .. 3.22 This song has a strong guitar riff bass and is a more upbeat song than previous, but its not one of the songs on the album that gets you up and dancing.. The lyrics are very persuasive.. If I was going to run away they would defiantly make me think again lol..! This main instruments in this song are just guitar, bass and drums.. It is very repetitive so I won't bore you with the details but it is yet another good song on a practically flawless album..!
11. Last Call to New York City .. 6.01 As the last song on the album it is a little sad because it's the end of a fantastic album..! Again it is a more subdued song, but Alex's voice is very persuading when he's telling whoever in the song he is tying to tell they are going to New York with him..! It uses a whole mixture of their talents with the ever present basic instruments to make up an Elliot Minor album.. Guitar, piano, bass acoustic and drums.. Maybe a bit of violins here and there..! It is a very long song so be warned, but the ending is spectacular as it fades away with the echo of fireworks, it is almost like the end of an outdoor opera..! It gives you a warm fuzzy feeling inside.. Even though it is the end of a phenomenal album, that at the minute is my reigning number album with its great attitude and amazing talent that sprung from obscurity into my life and I couldn't be without it now..! I know its only music but it really is that good..!
Overall
A year ago this band were relatively unknown, but much to the happiness of myself and quite a few other people I know and on this website they are becoming and increasingly popular band with, I hope, exciting prospects. Considering in April of 2007 Parallel Worlds was released and it only just hit number 31, a year later the song narrowly missed out on the top twenty by two places. Not to say they haven't had some chart success Jessica and Still Figuring out were placed in the top twenty at number 19 and 17 respectively… Now in my opinion for a band that despite having been rehearsing together from 2000, that they hadn't achieved this kind of success years ago.. I love this band this album has so many different mood suiting tracks if you can't find at least one song you like.. Then you must be incredibly difficult to please..!!
Prices and Availability
Now I didn't buy my copy it was a present for passing my driving test but.. It varies in price from shop to shop.. Because there are so many sales its difficult to give an accurate price.. But I shall try my best for you..
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