elliott

song in the air

'There are some bands out there that, no matter what, can be expected to produce high quality records. Elliott is putting the finishing touches on this reputation for themselves. For all intents and purposes, "Song in the Air" seals the deal.

The record is astounding. It is a necessity for any collection. There is nothing to disagree with on this, the band's third full length. No matter what style of music you consider to be your favorite, Elliott will fit in. They make little to set boundaries for themselves. Plain and simple, it is just good music written by a good band.

"Song in the Air" is arguably the best of the Elliott records so far. The band has an easily palatable style that makes their songwriting deceptively simple. It is thoroughly textured, but is not too heavy. The album is well mixed and well produced, allowing it to be enjoyable on many levels. In the soundscape, there is always something different to focus on and enjoy. There is always something a little bit different that presents itself to you with each listen. This is not to say that there are an infinite number of delicate sounds hidden in the background. Rather, each instrument is spaced out properly so that it can be fully enjoyed for how good it really is.

Each part of the album is written with the utmost of care and precision. It is a delicate balance of interwoven fabrics that catch your ear no matter what mood you are in, shy of feeling very pumped and aggressive. This is not the album to rock out to. It is a light red wine album intended to be savored. It is one of Revelations Records softer, finer points.

The highlights of this record do come back-to-back in the front end of this album, which is the only downside to this record. It is not carefully balanced and trails off a bit towards the end. "Carry On," "Believe," and "Beijing (too many people)" are infectiously melodic tunes that will stick with you days after hearing them. Together, they carry the album from better to best status, relative to the prior Elliot records.

All together, "Song in the Air" is a good starting point for those who are unfamiliar with Elliott and it is a necessity for fans of the band. Regardless, it is a good addition to any collection of albums.